- July 17, 2024
- admin
Do you feel first impressions can make sales, especially for the packaging and labeling of food products? Well, food packaging and labeling indeed play an essential role in the food industry by providing safety, freshness, and vital information about food products to consumers.
Food Labeling Norms – FSSAI
Food product label manufacturers realize that labeling is not just about giving product info to people, it is also an important legal requirement of FSSAI in India. As an integral part of food packaging, labeling conveys crucial information about the product packed inside.
Reading Food Labels
Food labeling requirements according to the FSSAI regulations:
- Food name and list of total ingredients (descending order)
- Nutritional information
- Logo of veg or non-veg food and dimensions
- Information about food additives and flavors added
- Complete address and name of the food manufacturer
- Net content and weight of the product
- Code or batch number identification
- Date of manufacturing and expiry date
- Country of origin (for only imported food products)
- How to use instructions
- FSSAI license number
General Rules of Labeling
Proper labeling rules must be followed by all food packaging and labeling manufacturers in India
- The label can be in Hindi, English, or Devnagri language (excluding the title, which could be in any language).
- The label cannot be misleading and give false information about the food.
- The label must be of good quality and should be affixed in a manner so that it cannot be separated easily from the container.
- The information content given on the label should be precise, prominent, clear, and readable by the consumer.
- Similarly, if it’s wrapped in a foil or wrapper, then the wrapper must hold all the essential information or the label can be placed inside the wrapper.
- The names must include the food name, trade name, list of ingredients, and description.
Along with the above-mentioned details, other labeling regulations may be applied to various types of prepackaged food products.
Why is food labeling a legal requirement?
Food product label manufacturers must diligently follow legal regulations. This helps the end consumers make the right or informed choices regarding the food products that they buy. Correct label details can also help in making decisions related to storage and using it safely. Based on the details, most people plan when to consume the food items. All these steps can reduce the wastage of food.
Different Health & Nutrition Claims
Health claims on the labels suggest that there is a definite relationship between the food product and health. It could be a nutrition claim that implies the benefits of consuming the food can provide certain nutritional value to the consumer. Such claims relate to a healthy or positive contribution towards health and noted improvements in health or health conditions. It may also state that consumption of the food can reduce the risk of developing certain diseases.
Moreover, the nutrient function claims may suggest or describe the role of one or more nutrients in the normal functioning of the human body. The function claims relate to the beneficial effects of the food product to bring about a positive involvement in the health status.
Food product label manufacturers must mention health claims to describe the connection between a food item or substance and a reduction in potential health risks. For instance, a health claim can be stated as ‘this food product has low sodium levels at 0.12g for every 100g and can help in reducing the potential risk of high blood pressure’.
FSSAI General Rules for Claims on a Food Label:
- The claim must be true and should never mislead the consumer.
- The claim should never motivate the consumer towards excess consumption of a specific food.
- No claim should imply that a balanced diet cannot give nutritional health benefits.
- Claims must clearly mention the exact serving sizes for the claimed advantage.
- All claims suggesting nutritional benefits must be backed up with scientific evidence.
- Advertisement claims and label claims of a product should be exactly similar.
- If a trademark provides words such as fresh, pure, original, genuine, or real in the labeling, then it should be confirmed by a disclaimer such as, ‘This is only a brand name or trademark and does not represent its true nature’.
Vegetarian & Non-Vegetarian Symbols
Reputed labeling manufacturers like Prakash Labels are aware of all mandatory regulations related to food labeling in India. Packaged non-vegetarian foods should have a reddish or brown-colored circle inside a square-shaped outline of the same color. For example, if a food product contains eggs as a non-vegetarian ingredient, the food product label manufacturer needs to offer a declaration stating that the product contains eggs and put the symbol of non-vegetarian. Likewise, packaged vegetarian food products contain a symbol with a green colored circle inside a square-shaped outline. It is called a vegetarian symbol.
Food Additives, Colors, Flavors & Preservatives
Food products may contain food additives that must be mentioned in addition to all class names and their numerical identifications. The added colors should be mentioned on the label as ‘Contains permitted natural food colors’. This statement is added just below the list of ingredients. If there is an extraneous flavoring agent added to the ingredients, it should be stated in a sentence like, Contains added flavors, again just below the ingredient list.
Some of the critical information shared through the labels is as follows:
- List of Ingredient Information – The ingredient listing informs the end consumers about the food products, thus assisting them to avoid certain allergens, make health-based choices, and choose food as per personal preference.
- Nutritional Facts – The info on nutritional details including the amount of calories, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, etc can help consumers make informed and healthy decisions.
- Allergen Warnings – Marking potential allergens is critical information, especially for consumers who are allergic to certain foods. Thai warning can keep them safe and prevent them from making ignorant decisions that can prove to be fatal.
- Traceable Facts – Giving manufacturer details can be effective for tracing purposes, for tracking the products via the supply chain. This is useful for product recalls, securing brand reputation, and the safety of consumer health.
Crucial Information Shared Via Food Packaging Labels
Assigning trusted third-party label manufacturers like Prakash Labels can ensure that food products don packaging labels that share all vital information about the food with the consumers. Flaunting the food labeling regulation could mean dealing with hefty fines.