Exemptions from Food labelling requirements under FSS Act :

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15.Exemptions from Food labelling requirements

The FSS (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations indicates certain cases where one or more of the mandatory information required to be given on the labels such as list of ingredients, Lot Number or Batch Number or Code Number, nutritional information, the ‘date of manufacture’ or ‘best before date’ or ‘expiry date’ and instructions for use, need not be given on the labels. Such cases are as given below:-

15.1 If the surface area of the package is not more than 100 square centimeters, the label declaration such as ;

• list of ingredients,
• Lot Number or Batch Number or Code Number,
• Nutritional information and
• Instructions for use, need not be given on the labels . but this information shall be given on the wholesale packages or multi piece packages, as the case may be.

15.2 If the surface area of the package is less than 30 square centimeters, the label declaration; such as ;-

• list of ingredients,
• Lot Number or Batch Number or Code Number,
• Nutritional information
• The ‘date of manufacture’ or ‘best before date’ or ‘expiry date’ and
• Instructions for use, need not be given on the labels, but these information shall be given on the wholesale packages or multi-piece packages, as the case may be;

15.3 In case of liquid products marketed in bottles and the bottle is intended to be reused for refilling, the declaration such as ;

(i) list of ingredients need not be given on the label . If the glass bottles have been manufactured after March 19, 2009,then the list of ingredients and nutritional information are required to be given on the bottle.

15.4 In case of food with shelf-life of not more than seven days, the label declaration such as;

(i) The ‘date of manufacture’; need not to be mentioned on the label of packaged food articles, but the ‘use by date’ is required to be mentioned on the label by the manufacturer or packer.

15.5 On the wholesale packages the label declaration such as;

1. List of ingredients.
2. Date of manufacture/ packing,
3. Best before or expiry date
4. Labelling of irradiated food and ,
5. Vegetarian logo/non vegetarian logo, need not to be given on the label.

The exceptions here only apply in certain situations and cases. The food business operators should take very serious note of the points discussed here in this module otherwise there may be a chance of breach of the mandatory guidelines issued for food labelling.

Thanks to http://foodsafetyhelpline.com

Specific restrictions of food labelling on Product labels and Advertisement :

 

14.Specific restrictions on advertisement

The FSS (Packaging and Labelling) Regulation, 2011 puts specific restrictions on use of particular words, declarations, statements or pictorial representations in certain cases as given below :-

14.1 Labels not to contain reference to Act or rules or regulations contradictory to required particulars:-

No reference of the Act, Rules or Regulations is permitted to be made on the labels.

14.2 Labels not to use words implying recommendations by medical profession: –

The words “recommended by the medical profession” or any words which suggest that the food is recommended, prescribed, or approved by medical practitioners or approved for medical purpose, are not allowed to be mentioned on the labels.

14.3Unauthorized use of words showing imitation prohibited

1. The word ‘imitation’ or any word, or words indicating that the article is a substitute for any food, are not to be mentioned on the label
2. The fruit syrup, fruit juice, fruit squash, fruit beverages, cordial, crush or any other fruit product which does not contain the prescribed amount of fruit juice or fruit pulp or fruit content shall not be described as a fruit syrup, fruit juice, fruit squash, fruit beverages, cordial, crush or any other fruit product as the case may be.
3. The food product which does not contain the specified amount of fruit and is likely to give a false impression to the consumer that the product contains fruit, whether by use of words or fruit picture shall be clearly declared on the label as ‘ADDED(NAME OF THE FRUIT) FLAVOUR’.
4. Any food product, which contains only fruit flavours, that shall not be described as a fruit product and the word “ADDED” (NAME OF FRUIT) FLAVOUR shall be declared on the label
5. Picture of fruit on the label of non-fruit products like carbonate beverage, synthetic Vinegar Syrups/Sharbats is prohibited.
6. The fruit and vegetable product, claimed to be fortified with vitamin C shall contain not less than 40 mgms. of ascorbic acid per 100 gm. of the product.

14.4 ” The word “pure” or any word or words of the same significance shall not be included in the label of a package that contains an imitation of any food.

 

14.5 Labelling prohibitions for Drinking Water (Both Packaged and Mineral Water)

• No claims regarding medicinal effects shall be made
• The name of the locality, or specified place should not be associated with the trade name unless the packaged water is collected from that particular place.
• The use of any statement or of any pictorial device which may create confusion in the mind of the public or in any way mislead the public about the nature, origin, composition, and properties of such waters put on sale is prohibited.

Restriction on advertisement

Advertisement of any food, which is misleading or contravening the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act, or the rules / regulations, is prohibited

Unauthorized use of the words or any misinterpretation with an intention to pull the sales of the product will be an offense under the regulations of the FSS act, hence the above has to be strictly be followed to avoid penalties.

Specific food labelling requirements for ensuring food safety standards of other food products :

13.Specific Labeling Requirements of other Products

There are some special instructions need to be followed while doing labelling of certain food products. We will discuss in detail as how food labelling practices would be followed in declaring the information on labels.

13.1 Mixture of coffee and chicory

(i) The packages of a mixture of coffee and chicory shall bear the following label declaration:

Coffee blended with Chicory

This mixture contains

Coffee…………………………… Per cent

Chicory………………………….. Per cent

(ii) The packages of Instant Coffee-Chicory mixture shall bear the following label declaration ;

Instant Coffee-Chicory mixture made from blends of coffee and chicory

Coffee…………………………… Per cent

Chicory………………………….. Per cent

13.2. CONDENSED MILK OR DESICCATED (DRIED) MILK:

The packages of condensed milk or desiccated (dried) milk shall bear one of the following label declarations, as may be applicable ,—

(i) In the case of condensed milk (unsweetened):

CONDENSED MILK UNSWEETENED

(Evaporated Milk) (This tin contains the equivalent) of (x)……… litres of toned milk

(ii) In the case of condensed milk (sweetened):

CONDENSED MILK SWEETENED

This tin contains the equivalent of (x)……… litres of toned milk with sugar added

(iii) In the case of condensed skimmed milk (unsweetened):

CONDENSED SKIMMED MILK UNSWEETENED

(Evaporated Skimmed Milk) This tin contains the equivalent of (x)……… litres of skimmed milk

(iv) In the case of condensed skimmed milk (sweetened):

CONDENSED SKIMMED MILK SWEETENED

This tin contains the equivalent of (x)…….litres of skimmed milk with sugar added”

(v) In the case of condensed milk (sweetened and flavoured):

This has been flavoured with………….

NOT TO BE USED FOR

INFANTS BELOW SIX MONTHS

(vi) In the case of condensed milk/condensed Skimmed milk (unsweetened) Sterilised by Ultra High Temperature (UHT) treatment:

This has been sterilised by UHT Proces (vii) In the case of milk powder:

MILK POWDER

This tin contains the equivalent of

(x)….. litres of toned milk

(viii) In the case of milk powder which contains lecithin:

MILK POWDER IN THIS PACKAGE CONTAINS LECITHIN

(ix) In the case of partly skimmed milk powder :

PARTLY SKIMMED MILK POWDER

This tin contains the equivalent of (x)……… litres of partly skimmed milk having……… per cent milk fat

(x) In the case of skimmed milk powder:

SKIMMED MILK POWDER

This tin contains the equivalent of (x)……… litres of skimmed milk

(xi) The packages of condensed milk or desiccated (dried) milk shall bear the following label declaration:-

“machine skimmed” “skimmed” or “unsuitable for babies”

“To make a fluid not below the composition of toned milk or skimmed milk (as the case may be) with the contents of this package, add (here insert the number of parts) of water by volume to one part by volume of this condensed milk or desiccated (dried) milk”.

(xii) The packages of condensed skimmed milk or desiccated (dried) skimmed milk shall bear the following label declaration:-

Condensed skimmed milk “machine skimmed” or Condensed skimmed milk “partly skimmed”, or Desiccated (dried) skimmed milk“machine skimmed” or

Desiccated (dried) skimmed milk“partly skimmed”, as the case may be.

13.3 Fluid milk: — The caps of the milk bottles /pouch/tetrapack shall clearly indicate the nature of the milk contained in them. The indication may be either in full or by abbreviation shown below :

1. Buffalo milk may be denoted by the letter‘B’,
2. Cow milk may be denoted by the letter ‘C’ ( (iii) Goat milk may be denoted by the letter ‘G
3. Standardized milk may be denoted by the letter ‘S’ (v) Toned milk may be denoted by the letter ‘T’
4. Double toned milk may be denoted by the lette DT’
5. Skimmed milk may be denoted by the letter ‘K’

(viii) Pasteurised milk may be denoted by the letter ‘P; followed by the class of milk. For example Pasteurised Buffalo milk shall bear the letters ‘PB ‘.

13.4.Hingra —The container of Hingra shall bear the following label declaration ,—

“This container contains Hingra (Imported from Iran\Afghanistan) and is certified to be conforming to the standards laid down in the Food Safety and Standards regulations”

13.5. Light Black Pepper:- The packages of light black pepper shall bear the following label declaration alonwith the Agmark seal :-

Light Black Pepper (Light berries)

13.6. The packages of “Cassia Bark” shall bear the following label declaration :-

CASSIA BARK (TAJ)

13.7. The packages of “CINNAMON” shall bear the following label declaration :-

CINNAMON (DALCHINI)

13.8. The packages of chillies which contains added edible oil shall bear the following label declaration:-

CHILLIES IN THIS PACKAGE CONTAINS AN ADMIXTURE OF NOT MORE THAN 2 PERCENT

OF……………….(NAME OF OIL) EDIBLE OIL

13.9.The packages of ice-cream, kulfi, kulfa and chocolate ice-cream containing starch shall have a label declaration as given below:-

“This ice-cream, kulfi, kulfa or chocolate ice-cream (as the case may be ) contains not more than — % of starch”

13.10.Masala: The package of mixed masala fried in oil shall bear the following label:

MIXED MASALA (FRIED)

THIS MASALA HAS BEEN FRIED IN (Name of the edible oused)

13.11. Compounded Asafoetida: The container of compounded asafoetida shall indicate the approximate composition of edible starch or edible cereal flour used in the compound, on the label.

13.12. The package containing maida treated with improver or bleaching agents shall carry the following label declaration :-

WHEAT FLOUR TREATED WITH IMPROVER/BLEACHING AGENTS, TO BE USED BY BAKERIES ONLY

13.13. The packages of malted milk food which contain added natural colouring matter except caramel, shall bear the following label declaration,-

MALTED MILK FOOD IN THIS PACKAGE CONTAINS

PERMITTED NATURAL COLOURING MATTER

13.14. Every advertisement for and/or a package of food containing added Monosodium Glutamate shall bear the following label declaration, ,-

This package of (name of the food contains added)………… MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR INFANTS BELOW 12 MONTHS

13.15. The container of refined salseed fat shall bear the following label declaration,-

REFINED SALSEED FAT FOR USE IN BAKERY AND CONFECTIONERY ONLY

13.16.The container or package of table iodised salt or iron fortified common salt containing permitted anticaking agent shall bear the following label declaration,-

IODIZED SALT / IRON FORTIFIED COMMON SALT* CONTAINS PERMITTED ANTICAKING AGENT

* Strike out whichever is not applicable

13.17. The container or package of iron fortified common salt shall bear the following label declaration,—

IRON FORTIFIED COMMON SALT

13.18.  The package of Dried Glucose Syrup containing sulphur dioxide exceeding 40 ppm shall bear the 
following label declaration

DRIED GLUCOSE SYRUP FOR USE IN SUGAR CONFECTIONERY

13.19.  The packages containing tea with added flavour shall bear the following label, declaration,—

“FLAVOURED TEA” (common name of permitted flavour/percentage) Registration No….

 

13.20. The packages of food which contain artificial sweetener shall bear the following label,declaration,—

(i) This contains …………….. (Name of the artificial sweeteners)

(ii) Not recommended for children.

(iii) (a) *Quantity of sugar added …………… gm/100 gm.

(b) No sugar added in the product.

(iv) *Not for Phenylketonurics (if Aspertame is added)

*strike out whatever is not applicable

13.21. In addition to above declaration the packages of food which contain artificial sweetener shall also bear the following label, declaration,-

CONTAINS ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER AND FOR CALORIE CONSCIOUS

13.22.The above declaration shall be provided along with name or trade name of product and shall be half of the size of the name/ trade name. The declaration may be given in two sentences, but in the same box.
13.23.The package of Aspertame (Methyl ester), Acesulfame K, Sucralose and Saccharin Sodium, Neotame marketed as Table Top Sweetener and every advertisement for such Table Top Sweetener shall bear the following label, declaration,-

(i) Contains……….. (name of artificial sweetener)
(ii) Not recommended for children

The package of aspertame (Methyl ester), marketed as Table Top Sweetener and every advertisement for such Table Top Sweetener shall carry the following label, namely,—

“Not for Phenylketonurics”

13.24. The package of food which is permitted to contain a mixture of Aspertame (Methyl Ester) and Acesulfame Potassium Sweeteners shall bear the following label, declaration,-

This ……………..…… (Name of food) contains ……………..……….. contains an admixture of Aspertame (Methyl Ester and Acesulfame Potassium. Not recommended for children.

(a) *Quantity of sugar added..…………… gm/100gm,

(b) No sugar added in the product.

*Not for Phenylketoneurics (if Aspertam added)

*strike out whatever is not applicable

13.25 The package of food which is permitted to contain a mixture of Acesulfame Potassium and Sucralose sweeteners shall bear the following label, declaration,—

(i) This …………(Name of Food) contains a mixture of Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium;
(ii) Not recommended for children;
(iii) *(a) Quantity of sugar added………………………gm/100gm;
(b) No sugar added in the product;

(*Strike out whichever is not applicable)

13.26. The package of Pan Masala and advertisement relating thereto, shall bear the following warning,—

Chewing of Pan Masala is injurious to health

13.27. The package of supari and advertisement relating thereto shall bear the following warning in conspicuous and bold print,—

Chewing of Supari is injurious to Health

13.28. The package of fruit squash by whatever name it is sold, containing additional sodium or potassium salt shall bear the following label declaration,—

IT CONTAINS ADDITIONAL

SODIUM/POTASSIUM SALT

13.29. The package of Cheese (hard), surface treated with Natamycin, shall bear the following label declaration,—

SURFACE TREATED WITH NATAMYCIN

13.30. The package of Bakery and Industrial Margarine made from more than 30 per cent of Rice Bran Oil shall bear the following label declaration,—

This package of Bakery & Industrial Margarine is made from more than 30 per cent of Rice Bran Oil by Wt.

13.31. The container or package of flavour emulsion and flavour paste meant for use in carbonated or non-carbonated beverages shall bear the following label declaration along with the instructions for dilution,—

FLAVOUR EMULSION AND FLAVOUR PASTE FOR USE IN CARBONATED OR

NON-CARBONATED BEVERAGES ONLY

13.32. The package of drinking water shall bear the following label declaration in capital letters having the prescribed size of each letter ;

PACKAGED DRINKING WATER

The one time usable plastic bottles of packaged drinking water shall bear the following label declaration.

CRUSH THE BOTTLE AFTER USE

13.33. Every package of mineral water shall carry the following declaration in capital letters having the prescribed size of each letter ;

NATURAL MINERAL WATER

One time usable plastic bottles of mineral water shall carry the following declaration.

CRUSH THE BOTTLE AFTER USE

 

13.34. The package of food having added caffeine, shall bear the following label declaration,—

“CONTAINS CAFFEINE”

13.35. The package of Low Fat Paneer/ Chhana shall bear the following label declaration,—

LOW FAT PANEER / CHHANA

13.36. The package of Cheese(s), if coated/packed in food grade waxes polyfilm/wrapping of cloth, shall bear the following label declaration,—

REMOVE THE OUTER PACKING BEFORE CONSUMPTION

13.37. The package of Frozen Desert / Frozen Confection shall bear the following label declaration,—

Frozen Desserts / Frozen Confection Contain ………………. Milk Fat* / Edible Vegetable Oil* / and Vegetable Fat*

*strike out whatever is not applicable

13.38. The container or package of common salt shall bear the following label declaration,—

COMMON SALT FOR IODISATION* / IRON FORTIFICATION* /ANIMAL USE* / PRESERVATION / MEDICINE*/ INDUSTRIAL USE*

*strike out whichever is not applicable.

13.39. The package of biscuits, bread and cakes containing Oligofructose shall bear the following label declaration, –

Contains Oligofructose (dietary fiber) —— gm/100 gm

13.40. The package of fresh fruit if coated with wax shall bear the following label declaration,—

Coated with wax (give name of wax)

13.41.Gelatin meant for human consumption should be labeled as “Gelatin Food Grade”

13.42.The package of food containing Polyols shall bear the following label declaration,-

Polyols may have laxative effects

13.43. The package of food containing Polydextrose shall bear the following label declaration:-

Polydextrose may have laxative effects

13. 44. Every package of fresh fruit if coated with wax shall carry the following label, namely,—

Coated with wax (give name of wax)

13.45. Gelatin meant for human consumption should be labeled as “Gelatin Food Grade”

13.46. Every package of food containing Polyols shall bear the following label,-

Polyols may have laxative effects

13.47. Every package of food containing Polydextrose shall bear the following label:-

Polydextrose may have laxative effects

Food labelling guidelines to be followed by Food Business Operators of “Edible Oils & Fats”, “Permitted Food Colors” and “Irradiated Food” :

 

12.Specific Labelling Requirements of edible oils and fats

The specific requirements and restrictions regarding labelling of packages of edible oils and fats are as given below :-

1. The words like ,“Super-Refined”, “Extra-Refined”, “Micro-Refined”, “Double-Refined”, Ultra-Refined”, “Anti-Cholesterol”, “Cholesterol Fighter”, “Soothing to Heart”, “Cholesterol Friendly”, “Saturated Fat Free” or any other words which are an exaggeration of the quality of the Product ,are not allowed to be used on the package, label or the advertisement of edible oils and fats .

2. The containers of solvent-extracted oil packed for sale shall bear the following additional label declaration;

(i) If the oil is not conforming to the standards of “refined” solvent extracted oils specified in regulation 2.2.6 (1) of Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additive) Regulation, 2011 for Edible vegetable oil/Vanaspati, then a declaration as given below shall be given on the label .

“NOT FOR DIRECT EDIBLE CONSUMPTION”

(ii) If the oil is complying with the requirements for the “semi-refined” or “raw-grade 1” grades of oil specified in regulation 2.2.6 (1) of Food Safety and Standards(Food Products standards and Food Additive) Regulation, 2011, then a declaration as given below shall be given on the label

“FOR INDUSTRIAL NON-EDIBLE USES ONLY”

3. Every container of solvent shall bear the Indian Standards Institution certification mark.

4. (i) The containers of vanaspati, margarine, bakery shortening, blended edible vegetable oils, mixed fat spread and refined vegetable oil in addition to other labelling requirements shall bear the following label declaration .

“free from Argemone Oil”

(ii) The regulation has specified that edible vegetable oils, fats which include hydrogenated vegetable oils, packages & processed food items with known shelf life, have to mention ‘the minimum percentage of trans fat content & saturated fat content by weight’. Similarly, in case of trans fatty acids & saturated fatty acids, the declaration has to be there on the label with percentage by weight.

5. The containers of refined vegetable oil shall bear the following label, declaration,—

Refined (name of the Oil) Oil

The container of imported edible oil shall also bear the word, “Imported”, as prefix.

6. The packages containing an admixture of palmolein with groundnut oil shall carry the following label declaration —

BLEND OF PALMOLEIN AND GROUNDNUT OIL

Palmolein……per cent

Groundnut oil….per cent

7. The packages containing an admixture of imported rape-seed oil with mustard oil, shall bear the following label, declaration:

BLEND OF IMPORTED RAPE-SEED OIL AND MUSTARD OIL

Imported rape-seed oil…..per cent

Mustard oil…….per cent

8. Tha packages of vanaspati made from more than 30 percent of Rice bran oil shall bear the following label declaration :—

This package of vanaspati is made from more than 30% Rice bran oil by weight

 9. The package of Fat Spread shall bear the following label declaration:—

(i) Milk Fat Spread

Use before …………..

Date of packing …………

Total Milk Fat Content Per cent by weight…………

 (ii) Mixed Fat Spread

Use before …………..

Date of packing …………

Total Milk Fat Content Percent by weight……

(iii) Vegetable Fat Spread

Use before …………..

Date of packing …………

Total Fat Content Per cent by weight ……

10. A package containing annatto colour in vegetable oils shall bear the following label namely :—

Annatto colour in oil (Name of oil/oils) used

11. The package containing an admixture of edible oils shall bear the following label declaration:—
This blended edible vegetable oil contains an admixture of :

(i) ……………….% by Weight

(ii) …………….% by Weight

(Name and nature of edible vegetable oils i.e. in raw or refined form)

Date of Packing ————–

NOT TO BE SOLD LOOSE

12.2 Labelling of permitted food colours

1. The containers of permitted synthetic food colours shall bear the following label declaration :—

(i) “Food Colours”;

(ii) the chemical and the common name and colour index of the dye-stuff.

2. The containers mixture of permitted synthetic food colours shall bear the following label declaration :—

(i) “Food Colour Mixture”;

(ii) the chemical and the common name and colour index of the dye stuff contained in the mixture.

3. The containers of preparations of permitted synthetic food colours shall bear the following label declaration :—

(i) “Food Colour Preparation”;

(ii) the name of the ingredients used in the preparation.

12.3 Labelling of irradiated Food

Irradiated foods.-

All packages of irradiated food shall bear the following declaration and logo :—

PROCESSED BY IRRADIATION METHOD

DATE OF IRRADIATION ………………

LICENSE NO of Irradiation Unit……………………

PURPOSE OF IRRADIATION……………….

Edible oils have always been a lucrative product segment by the producers of cooking oil but regulatory is very tough on food business operators of edible oils in case the consumer is misguided on the factual information of such products on labels.

Specific Requirements and Manner of Labelling of Infant Milk Substitute and Infant Foods :

11.Specific Requirements and Manner of Labelling of Infant Milk

In the earlier articles we have been discussing the general requirements of labeling and the information in general to be given on the label of any package of food. In addition to the general requirements and information, there are also some specific requirements and information, which are product specific and mandatory to be given on the label on the packages of food products.

The packages of food products like:

(i) Infant Milk Substitute and Infant foods including Infant Milk Substitute meant for premature baby or meant for babies who are allergic to milk proteins or allergic to milk sugars

(ii) Edible oils and fats

(iii)Irradiated foods and

(iv) Other Food Products namely ; Coffee-Chicory Mixture, milk and milk powder, Compounded Asafetida , Mixed Masala, Iodised salt, Pan masala , Supari ,

Packaged drinking water and many others , are required to give certain product specific information , statements or warnings, which are as given below :-

1. Infant milk substitutes /infant foods

The container of infant milk substitute or infant food shall bear the following additional label declaration in the manner give below:

“IMPORTANT NOTICE” :“MOTHER’S MILK IS BEST FOR YOUR BABY”

(This declaration shall be given in the center of the label in color contrast of the label and the letter shall be not less than five millimeters .)

“Infant food shall be introduced only after the age of six months and upto the age of two years”

“ Infant milk substitute or infant food should be used only on the advice of a health worker “

Warning :” Infant milk substitute or infant food is not the sole source of nourishment of an infant”

Instruction for appropriate and hygienic preparation including cleaning of utensils, bottles and teats .

“ Caution- : Careful and hygienic preparation of infant foods/infant milk substitute is most essential for health. Do not use fewer scoops than directed since diluted feeding will not provide adequate nutrients needed by your infant. Do not use more scoops than directed since concentrated feed will not provide the water needed by your infant”.

“store in a cool and dry place in an air tight container” or After opening use the contents within the period mentioned or the expiry date whichever is earlier

The feeding chart and directions for use and instruction for discarding leftover feed; shall be given on the label.

Instruction for use of measuring scoop and the quantity per scoop has to be mentioned on the label along with the the protein efficiency ratio (PER) of the product.

2. Infant milk substitute meant for premature baby :

The containers of infant milk substitute meant for premature baby born before 37 weeks/low birth weight infant (less than 2500gm) shall indicate the following additional information, as :

(i) [PREMATURE BABY (BORN BEFORE 37 WEEKS) LOW BIRTH WEIGHT (LESS THAN 2.5 KG]

(ii) “The low birth weight infant milk substitute shall be withdrawn under medical advice as soon as the mother’s milk is sufficiently available’; and

(iii) “TO BE TAKEN UNDER MEDICAL ADVICE”

3. The product, which contains neither milk nor any milk derivatives

The product, which contains neither milk nor any milk derivatives, shall be labeled as:

“Contains no milk or milk product”

4. Infant milk substitute for lactose or lactose and sucrose intolerant infants

The container of infant milk substitute for lactose or lactose and sucrose intolerant infants shall indicate as:

“LACTOSE-FREE or SUCROSE-FREE or LACTOSE and SUCROSE-FREE”

“TO BE TAKEN UNDER MEDICAL ADVICE”

“Lactose free Infant Milk Substitute should only be used in case of diarrhea due to lactose intolerance.

The lactose free/sucrose free Infant Milk Substitute should be withdrawn if there is no improvement in symptoms of intolerance”.

5. Infant milk substitute meant for infants with allergy to cow’s /buffalo’s milk protein:

The container of infant milk substitute meant for infants with allergy to cow’s /buffalo’s milk protein or soy protein shall indicate as:

“HYPOALLERGENIC FORMULA”

“TO BE TAKEN UNDER MEDICAL ADVICE”.

A food business operator has to specifically mention certain important instructions on the labels of baby milk substitutes, the statements like warning, caution etc should be properly commented and implanted on the label as per regulatory guidelines.

Food labelling requirements – “Instructions for use” :

10.Instructions for use on package food products

In order to ensure correct utilization of the food, the Food Regulations require the manufacturer or the packer to mention the “ Instructions for use” on the label on the Pre-packaged food. The instructions may include the directions regarding reconstitution or dilution of the product before use, where applicable.

For example,

10.1. On every container of infant milk substitute or infant food the following instructions are required to be given :

(i) After opening up the package/container, use the contents within the period mentioned or the expiry date whichever is earlier;
(ii) The feeding chart and directions for use and instruction for discarding leftover feed;
(iii) Instruction for use of measuring scoop (level or heaped) and the quantity per scoop (scoop to be given with pack);
(iv) The storage condition specifically stating “store in a cool and dry place in an air tight container”

 

10.2. On every package containing condensed milk or desiccated (dried) milk, the following instruction is required to be given on the label :

(i) “machine skimmed” “skimmed” or “unsuitable for babies” except instructions as to dilution as follows:

“To make a fluid not below the composition of toned milk or skimmed milk (as the case may be) with the contents of this package, add (here insert the number of parts) of water by volume to one part by volume of this condensed milk or desiccated (dried) milk”.

10.3. On the packages of fruit and vegetables, the following instructions may be mentioned :

(i)Wash all fruit and vegetables with cool tap water immediately before eating. Do not use soap or detergents as this can affect the taste.

(ii)Scrub fruit and vegetables with hard surfaces (such as rockmelons, oranges, potatoes and carrots) with a clean produce brush. Cut away bruised or damaged areas before eat.

If a product requires specific storage instructions to remain safe until its ‘use-by’ or ‘best before’ date, the manufacturers have to give storage instructions on label, such as ‘Keep refrigerated’ and ‘Store in a cool, dark place’.

It must also include appropriate directions for the subsequent use and storage of the food, where the food requires such directions for reasons of health and safety (e.g. Refrigerate after opening or Keep Refrigerated )
Refrigerate After Opening
Some foods require to be kept refrigerated only after opening the package. If the package says refrigerate after opening, the food has to be refrigerated immediately after opening it. As long as the food is kept refrigerated after opening, germs cannot multiply and cause illness.

Keep Refrigerated

When the package is required to be refrigerated at all times. This includes before opening the food and afterwards if keeping it for later use.

Instructions for preparation or cooking

It is also important to mention preparation or cooking instructions on the label, including heating and defrosting times. Again, manufacturers are required to provide preparation directions on food labels for any food which requires specific preparation to ensure they are safe. Such instructions are extremely important because they can help to kill any harmful bacteria which may be present naturally in some foods.

A food label needs to contain the instructions & directions about how a product should be used or prepared to be consumed by the end customer. It should also mention as how a product should be stored before using and how to store the remaining contents after consuming parts of the package.

Food labelling requirements – Identification of Lot/Code/Batch number :

 

9.Identification of Batch, Code, Lot

A batch number or code number or lot number is a mark of identification by which the food can be traced in the manufacture and identified in the distribution, shall be given on the label.

All the packages of food product having the same batch number or code number are considered to be having the same substance of the same nature, quality and same in all respect.

In case there is any consumer complaint about any package of food product, then the first step of investigation is to find out the Batch no/ Lot no of that food package and the food packages having the same batch/lot no are examined with respect to the complaint.Either following the consumer complaint or otherwise,if the food business operator considers or has reasons to believe that a food which he has processed, manufactured or distributed is not in compliance with the FSS Act, or the rules or regulations, he shall immediately initiate procedures to withdraw the food in question from the market and consumers indicating reasons for its withdrawal and inform the concerned competent authorities .

In case, if the regulator is suspicious about the quality of any packaged food ,then he takes the sample of the packaged food product of the particular Batch or Lot No. for its quality check.He takes the required number of the food packagings having the same batch/ lot number and sends it for analysis. In case of any violation in the sample of food packages the entire quantity of the same batch or lot is considered to be in violation of the food laws . The legal action may be initiated against the offenders and/ or the manufacturer or the processor may be directed that the entire quantity of the particular Batch or Lot No is traced and the food be recalled.

“Recall” means action taken to remove a marketed food product from distribution, sale and consumption that may pose a safety hazard to consumers and the procedure followed for the same is called food recall procedure.

When the circumstances require for Food Recall , it is the responsibility of every food business operator to inform the competent authorities of the action taken and to follow such conditions and guidelines relating to food recall procedures as the Food Authority may specify by regulations. In this regard the Food Authority has yet to notify the regulation, however draft regulation for Food

Recall Procedure has appeared on the FSSAI website for public objections and suggestions.

From the Food Business Operator point of view, it is better, if smaller quantity of the food product is processed in one lot.

The Food Business Operator may note that the packages containing bread and milk including sterilised milk are not required to mention Batch/Code/Lot No.

A food has to bear a label of lot/batch/code from the time of its raw shape like at farm level till it becomes a final product for sale. Information like date of harvest, farm identification and who handles the produce from grower to receiver, scanning a product at the point of picking or loading, the recognition through batch/code/lot number is required to be maintained to track the culprit in cases of complaints.

Every food business operator has to define & mention Batch, Lot, Code number on all the containers of the product, to be referred under incidents of examination on suspicion by the regulatory body or on action upon consumer complaints.

Declaration of “Net Quantity” on food labels :

8.Net Quantity

The net quantity of contents is the statement on the label which provides the actual amount of food in the container.

From the net quantity mentioned on the label of the food product, the buyer can assess that for purchasing the particular quantity, how much he has to pocket out and he can also compare the quantity and the price of the similar product of different manufacturers.

Though as per food laws FSS (Packaging and labelling) Regulation, 2011, it is not mandatory to mention the minimum retail price of the product, but the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, makes its mandatory to mention the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) as well as the net weight of the food product along with guidelines that specific food commodities like biscuits, bread, tea, cereals and pulses etc. are to be packed and sold in recommended standard packages. The Food business Operator has also to follow the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, in this regard.

The declared quantity on a package should be accurate and it should not be less than the declared quantity, otherwise it will make the food product misbranded which attracts penalty. The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations 2011 notified by FSSAI requires that:

(i) Net quantity by weight or volume or number has to be declared on every package of food;

(ii) If a food is packed in a liquid medium, then the net quantity along with the drained weight of the food shall be mentioned on the label.

(iii) In case of a package contains a large number of small items of confectionery and each wrapped separately, where it is not possible to exclude the weight of the wrappers, in this case the net weight may also include the weight of the wrapper.

The accurate amount of contents or weight have to be mentioned on the food label, else the food product would be treated as misbranded and liable to be penalised under the regulations.

Food labelling requirements – Date of Manufacture or Packing and Best Before or Use By Date :

7.Date of Manufacture or Packing and Best Before or Use By Date

Information about dates on pre-packaged food product is a valuable source of information about the life of the packaged food product for the consumers. Date of manufacture or packing on the labels provides an information about the age of the product and from this date the consumer can assess, how old the product is ? Whereas, the Best Before Date or Use by Date indicates the remaining healthy life of the unopened product. Best Before Date is the date by which it is expected that the unopened food, when stored under appropriate conditions, will retain its freshness, taste, nutritional value and all other claimed qualities. A “best-before” date, tells when the potential shelf-life period of the unopened foods ends. One can consume foods after the “best before” date has passed.

However, when this date has passed, the food may lose some of its freshness and flavour, or its texture may have changed. Some of its nutritional value, such as vitamin C content, may also be lost. Remember that “best before” dates are not indicators of food safety, neither before nor after the date. They apply to unopened products only. Once opened, the shelf life of a food may change.

“Best before” dates do not guarantee product safety. However, they do give you the information about the freshness and potential shelf-life of the unopened foods you are buying.

The Indian Food Law, FSS (Packaging and Labelling ) Regulations,2011,notified by FSSAI, defines the terms like , Date of Manufacture , Date of Packing, Best Before Date and Use by Date . The Regulation makes it mandotary that the information about the Date of manufacture or packing and Best Before or Use By Date has to be mentioned on the label on the package of the food product.

The regulations define:

a.“Date of manufacture” means the date on which the food becomes the product.

b. “Date of packaging” means the date on which the food is placed in the immediate container in which it will be ultimately sold;

c. “Best before” means the date which signifies the end of the period under any stated storage conditions during which the food shall remain fully marketable and shall retain any specific qualities for which express claims have been made and beyond that date, the food may still be perfectly safe to consume, though its quality may have diminished. However the food shall not be sold if at any stage the product becomes unsafe.

d.“Use – by date” or “Recommended last consumption date” or “Expiry date” means the date which signifies the end of the estimated period under any stated storage conditions, after which the food probably will not have the quality and safety attributes normally expected by the consumers and the food shall not be sold.

7.1 Date of manufacture or packing:

The date, month and year in which the commodity is manufactured, packed or pre-packed has to be given on the label in the prescribed manner :

In case the Best Before Date of the product is more than three months then only the month and the year of manufacture, or prepacking is required to be mentioned.

In case the packaged food product has a short shelf life of less than three months than the date, month and year in which the food commodity is manufactured, prepared or pre-packed is required to be mentioned.

 

7.2 Best before and Use By Date:

The month and year in capital letters up to which the product is best for consumption has to be mentioned on the label, as given below :—

“BEST BEFORE ……..MONTHS AND YEAR

OR

“BEST BEFORE ……..MONTHS FROM PACKAGING

OR

                      “BEST BEFORE …………MONTHS FROM MANUFACTURE

In case of packages containing the food commodity of perishable nature which has a short shelf life i.e. pizza, doghunts,khoya, paneer etc. The date, month and year in capital letters up to which the product is best for consumption has to mentioned on the label as given below.

“BEST BEFORE ……….DATE/MONTH/YEAR”

OR

“BEST BEFORE……..DAYS FROM PACKAGING”

OR

“BEST BEFORE …….. DAYS FROM MANUFACTURE”

In case of Aspartame and Infant milk substitute and Infant Foods, Use by Date/recommended last consumption date/expiry Date has to be mentioned. Best Before Date is not required to be given on such packages.
In case of wines liquors and alcoholic beverages containing more than 10% of alcohol, Best Before Date, Use by Date or Expiry Date is not required to be mentioned.

From the manufacturer or packers point of view it is important to note that he has to ensure that his unopened pre-packaged food , when stored under appropriate conditions, retains its freshness, taste, nutritional value and all other claimed qualities , at least upto its Best Before Date.

If there are any particular storage conditions for the product to maintain its shelf life, these must be pointed out. However, as a rule it is recommended to always describe the necessary storage conditions for a food product.

Shelf life should be established for all products by conducting planned and carefully executed shelf life studies.

To make sure food lasts until its date, it’s important to mention storage instructions, such as ‘Keep refrigerated’ and ‘Store in a cool, dark place’ on the label.

A consumer will always be interested to know about the life of a packaged food product, so the label should have the information about the date of manufacture or packing and best before or use by date.