The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, vide Gazette ID CG-DL-E-10122020-223635 issued dated 18.11.2020 and published in Gazette on 10.12.2020 has framed The Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020.
The Food Authority has decided to divide the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011into two regulations, – (i) the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018; and (ii) the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2019. FSSAI in the exercise of the powers conferred by clause (k) of sub-section (2) of section 92, read with section 23 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (34 of 2006) and in supersession of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India hereby makes the following regulations, namely:-
The Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020.
Applicability: They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette and Food Business Operator shall comply with all the provisions of these regulations after one year from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette except chapter-3 of these regulations, to which Food Business Operator shall comply by 1st January 2022.
Key Highlights:
1. Any information or pictorial device is written, printed, or graphic matter may be displayed on the label provided that it is not in conflict with the requirements of these regulations;
2. The list of ingredients shall contain an appropriate title, such as the term “Ingredients/List of Ingredients”
3. Every package of food shall carry the name of the food which indicates the true nature of the food contained in the package, on the Front of the Pack.
- It may additionally have a “coined”, “fanciful”, “brand” or “trade name” subject to compliance with the Food Safety & Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulation 2018.
4. Added water shall be declared in the list of ingredients except in cases where water forms part of an ingredient, such as brine, syrup, or broth, used in the compound food and so declared in the list of ingredients.
5. Veg – Logo: Every package of Vegetarian Food containing ingredients including food additives, processing aids of plant origin shall bear a declaration to this effect by a symbol and color code as stipulated below. The symbol shall consist of a green color filled circle inside a square with a green outline having the diameter not less than the minimum size specified in the Table mentioned in the regulation 5 (4) (c), as indicated below:
6. Size of the Logo:
7. Declaration regarding Veg. or Non-Veg shall also be prominently displayed as provided in this regulation on the pamphlets, leaflets, and advertisements in any media. The symbol shall be prominently displayed on the package having a contrast background on the principal display panel, just close in proximity to the name or brand name of the production front of the pack.
8. Legal Metrology Provisions Applicability: Net quantity, Retail Sale Price, and Consumer Care details.- Declaration and manner of declaration of Net quantity, Retail Sale Price, and Consumer Care details shall be as provided in Legal Metrology Act, 2009 (1 of 2010) and the Rules made thereunder.
9. “Date of manufacture or packaging” and “Expiry/Use by” shall be declared on the label. However, the expression “Best before” may also be used as optional or additional information. “Date of manufacture or packaging” and “Expiry /Use by” shall be grouped together and given at one place
10. The height of any numeral and letter required under these regulations, on the principal display panel shall be as shown in the table below:
the size of numeral and/or letters required for the declaration of net weight, retail sale price, date of expiry or best before or the use by date (wherever and as applicable) and Consumer care details on the principal display panel shall be as provided in the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 (1 of 2010) and the Rules made thereunder.
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