Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020: Key Highlights

Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, by way of Official Gazette ID CG-DL-E-10122020-223635, issued on 17.11.2020 and published on 10.12.2020, has introduced the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020.

In this blog, we will discuss the applicability and key highlights of the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020^[1].

Background of Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020

The Food Safety and Standards Authority has decided to bifurcate the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging & Labelling) Regulations 2011 into 2 parts that are as follows:

1. Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations 2018;
2. Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2019;

Further, the FSS Authority in the exercise of the powers provided under clause (k) of sub section (2) of section 92 read with section 23 of the FSS Act 2006 and in the suppression of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging & Labelling) Regulations 2011, notified the regulation named Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020.

Applicability of the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020

The FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020 shall come into force from the date of publication in the Official Gazette. Further, it shall be pertinent to note that it is compulsory for every FBO having FSSAI License needs to abide by the provisions of the said regulations after the expiry of one year, starting from the date of publication of the rules in the Official Gazette.

However, again it shall be taken into consideration that the provisions of Chapter 3 of the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020 shall become applicable from 01.01.2022.

Key Highlights of the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020

The Key Highlights of the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020 are as follows:

Display of Information on Label

Any information, detail, or pictorial device printed, written, or any graphic matter displayed on the label must not conflict with the obligations and requirements of these regulations;

List of Ingredients

All the ingredients involved in a product must be contained under a specific title and heading, known as “List of Ingredients”;

Name must Indicate True Nature of Food Item

It shall be considerate to note that every food package must contain only that name, which indicates the true nature of the food product and items involved, on the front of the package.

Additionally, it may include a “fanciful”, “coined”, “trade”, or “brand name”, but again the same will be subject to the compliance of the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations 2018;

Added Water

From now onwards, it shall be mandatory to display the “Added Water” in the list of ingredients except in the case where water is a part of an ingredient, such as syrup, brine, broth, etc., used in the food compound and so acknowledged in the list of ingredients.

Veg Logo

Every food package containing vegetarian ingredients, including Processing Aids of Plant Origin or Food Additives, shall bear a declaration to this effect in the form of a symbol and colour code. Further, the said declaration symbol must be filled with a green colour and covered inside a square with green outline having the diameter, not below the minimum size as prescribed in the table specified in Regulation 5 (4) (c).

The said table of size and measurement are as follows:

S.no	Area of Principal Display Panel in cm. sq.	Minimum Size of Diameter of Circle in mm.	Minimum Size of Each Triangle Side in mm.	Minimum Size of Each Square Side in mm.
1.	Up to 100 cm sq.	3	2.5	6
2.	Above 100 cm sq. to 500 cm sq.	4	3.5	8
3.	Above 500 cm sq. to 2500 cm sq.	6	5	12
4.	Above 2500 cm sq.	8	7	16

Declaration Regarding Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian

It shall be compulsory for every FBO to prominently display the declaration concerning Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian on the Leaflets, Pamphlets, and Advertisements in any media. Further, the said symbol must be displayed on the package with the contrast background on the principal display panel. Also, the same should be in close proximity to the brand name of the product;

Applicability of Legal Metrology Provisions

All the details, such as Consumer Care Details, Retail Sale Price, and Net Quantity must be declared in the manner specified under the provisions of the Legal Metrology Act 2009 and the rules made thereunder;

Date of Manufacture and Expiry Date

It shall be compulsory for every FBO to prominently display the Manufacturing and Expiry Date on the label. However, the term “Best Before” may be used as a piece of additional or optional information. Also, both the date of Manufacturing and Expiry must be grouped together in one place.

Size of Numerals and Letters

The minimum height of any numeral and letter needed under these rules on the principal display panel must be as shown in the table given below:

S.no	Area of Principal Display Panel in cm. sq.	Minimum Height of Numeral and Letter in mm. (Normal Case)	Minimum Height of Numeral and Letter in mm. (When Blown, Formed, Contained, Molded or Perforated )
1.	Up to 100 cm sq.	1	2
2.	Above 100 cm sq. to 500 cm sq.	2	4
3.	Above 500 cm sq. to 2500 cm sq.	4	6
4.	Above 2500 cm sq.	6	8

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020 were enforced to give clarity on the provisions considering the declaration of veg and non-veg logo, manufacture and expiry date, list of ingredients, display of information on the label, etc. Further, all the provisions except chapter 3 are applicable to every FBO after the expiry of one year, starting from the date of publication of the rules in the Official Gazette.

Lastly, in case of any doubt or complexity, visit Swarit Advisors, our FSSAI experts are there to cater to all your needs and concerns regarding the FSSAI License and FSSAI License Renewal.

Also, Read: FSSAI License Number: Concept & Process to Check It Online

Official Copy of the Regulations

Gazette_Notification_Labelling_Display_14_12_2020-2-compressed