Importance of Food Labelling

Food labelling is not simply design or snazzy wording – it is an essential component of food safety, compliance, and consumer trust.  In India, the regulations on food labelling are bolded by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which is a compliance requirement for all food labelling in their products, which is an important check point in both approvals and launch to market for food business operators (FBO).  In many cases, getting labelling correct is just as important as the formulation of the product itself, since errors can lead to costly penalties, recalls of product, and loss of consumer trust.  This is where a food expert like Frontline Food Consultants and Engineers (FFCE) can add great value to the project.

Why Food Labelling Matters

1. Regulatory Compliance: The food label is the first acceptable evidence of compliance within FSSAI regulations; it conveys that the food item is safe for human consumption and has passed along all required information to the consumer.
2. Consumer Transparency: Labels provide consumers with the information they need to make their own informed decisions containing ingredients, allergens, nutritional information, and claims, (for example, “low fat”, or “high in protein”).
3. Market Positioning: An effective label delivers the brand’s promise to the consumer, fosters trust and builds the separation of a product in a crowded marketplace.
4. Traceability and Accountability: Labels, in the case of food safety investigations or recalls, provide evidence in the form of accountability.

Technical Aspects of Food Labelling under FSSAI

• The Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 require the following technical elements to be in practice:

1. Compulsory Information

1. Product Name: Food and beverage names ought to be informative and clear (for example: Mango Flavoured Carbonated Drink).
2. List of Ingredients: A list of ingredients must be given in descending order of weight/volume as they were at the time of manufacture.
3. Nutrition Information (per 100g/ml and per serving):
4. Energy (kcals)
5. Protein (g)
6. Carbohydrate (g) (with a separate declaration of sugar.)
7. Fat (g) (with a separate declaration of saturated and trans fat.)
8. Sodium (mg)
9. FSSAI Logo and License Number, providing traceability.

4. Allergen Declaration: Required for, but not limited to gluten, soy, nuts, milk, fish etc.
5. Veg/Non-Veg Symbol: Green/Red logo according to ingredient source.
6. Net Quantity: By weight, measure or count.
7. Date Marking: “Best Before” and “Use By” detail.
8. Batch Number/Lot Number/Code Number.
9. Manufacturer Details including, name, address and contact details.

2. Front-of-Pack Labelling (FoPL)

• For packaged products that contain high fat sugar or salt (HFSS), the FoPL guidelines require identifying nutritional thresholds.
• Health logos or health warnings may soon become mandatory in India according to global best practices.

3. Health Claims and Declarations

• Claims such as “Low Fat” “Sugar-Free” “High Protein” or “Fortified” where NuL is labelled must be evidence based and must meet FSSAI thresholds.
• False or deceptive health claims are subject to penalties.

4. Type size, contrast and legibility

• The FoPL guidelines require prescribed minimum type sizes for mandatory information included on the labels.
• The labels must maintain legibility and should not be removable or incapable of being removed from the packages by the normal handling of the product.

5. Additional Labelling for Certain Foods

• Infant food, dietary supplements, nutraceuticals – require cautionary and voluntary advisory and statement acknowledgments that the additional statements are not warnings.
• Imported food – in addition to the above labelling requirements, must meet labelling that is prescribed under the import regulations.

Pain Points in Food Labelling for Businesses

1. Constantly changing FSSAI strategies mean FBOs must regularly update their labeling.
2. Inaccurate or incomplete labels can result in product rejections at the approval stage.
3. Conforming to regulations, while ensuring a good label aesthetic must be a technically balanced label design.
4. Dietary Calculations and ingredient declarations are often specialized based on scientific knowledge.

Role of Food Consultants like FFCE

This is where Frontline Food Consultants and Engineers (FFCE) provide significant value:.

1. Regulatory Requirements: FFCE performs all tasks needed to ensure that your labels are compliant with the most up to date FSSAI, Codex Alimentarius or international standards if it is to be exported.
2. Nutritional Panel: Use both software and laboratory testing to effectively calculate and format your nutrition panel.
3. Ingredient and Allergen Mapping: Ensure full declaration of all minor ingredients, adding agents or processing aids.
4. Packaging Support: Work with the packaging teams to design labels that marry compliance considerations with brand identity.
5. Claim Verification: Supporting the business to provide scientifically based verification of claims, and to ensure any claims made can be supported such as “immunity boosting”, “high protein”, or “fortified vitamins”.
6. Extending into the Global Market: For businesses with an aim to export, FFCE will assist in aligning labeling with regulatory requirements such as FDA (USA), EFSA (Europe) or GCC (Middle East).

Future of Food Labelling in India

• Digital Labelling & QR Codes:  Future-ready options will include QR codes, which can offer traceability, sourcing information and additional nutritional information.
• Smart Labelling:  AI-based, consumer-driven recommendations.
• Sustainability-focused Tags:  Carbon footprint, water usage and environmental labels are now coming into play.

Conclusion

Food labelling in India has transitioned from a formality for compliance purposes to an essential reputation builder, a method of establishing trust with consumers, a brand identifier and an agency of food safety. As consumer awareness has increased and evolution of FSSAI regulations continue, there is no margin for error or vagueness in labelling. Partnering with the experts like Frontline Food Consultants and Engineers (FFCE), makes it easy for businesses to know that every product they launch into the market will be compliant, transparent, market ready and globally competitive.