India’s food industry is among the largest in the world, encompassing diverse sectors such as agriculture, processing, retail, hospitality, and exports. To ensure public safety and promote high-quality food production, India has developed a well-structured legal and regulatory framework. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the primary regulatory body responsible for setting food safety standards, licensing businesses, and monitoring compliance. These laws are not just relevant for large food manufacturers, but also vital for small vendors, restaurants, importers, and consumers.
In this blog, we will have a holistic overview of food laws and the regulatory landscape governing food businesses nationwide.
Why Do We Need Food Regulation?
Food Regulation helps in:
- Protecting Public Health: Food Regulations help in ensuring that the food we consume is safe, hygienic, and free from contaminants that can cause illness.
- Preventing Food Adulteration: Food regulation helps curb harmful practices, such as adulteration, by penalizing offenders and setting purity standards for food items.
- Ensuring Quality and Standardization: Food Regulation establishes uniform quality benchmarks across the food industry to ensure that all products meet basic safety and nutritional standards.
- Promoting Hygiene and Sanitation: Mandatory compliance with hygiene standards ensures that food preparation and storage remain clean.
- Building Consumer Trust: When consumers know that food is regulated and inspected, they are more likely to trust brands and make repeat purchases.
Primary Regulatory Authority – FSSAI
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the apex body regulating and supervising food safety in India. It was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, to consolidate multiple laws related to food safety into a unified framework.
Core Functions of FSSAI:
- Framing science-based food safety standards and codes of practice
- Licensing and registration of food businesses
- Monitoring and ensuring compliance via inspections and sampling
- Promoting awareness and capacity-building in the food sector
- Managing food recalls and risk-based inspections
FSSAI License Types:
- Basic Registration (for small businesses with turnover < ₹12 lakh)
- State License (for mid-sized businesses)
- Central License (for large-scale manufacturers, exporters, or those operating in multiple states)
Food Laws Applicable in India
India’s food safety framework comprises several laws, each with a specific domain of control. Understanding these laws helps businesses and individuals comply fully and avoid penalties:
1. Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
The act applies to all food-related businesses, including manufacturers, processors, distributors, retailers, caterers, and street vendors. It governs licensing, hygiene standards, food labeling, and prohibits the adulteration of food.
Penalties:
- Up to ₹10 lakh fine for unsafe food
- Imprisonment up to life in case of grievous injury or death
2. Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011
The act applies to all packaged food items, mandating explicit declarations of quantity, price, manufacturing and expiry dates, as well as the manufacturer’s details.
Penalties: Fine of up to ₹25,000 for first offence; ₹50,000 for repeat offences
3. Essential Commodities Act, 1955
The act applies to traders, wholesalers, and manufacturers of essential food commodities to prevent hoarding and black marketing.
Penalties: Imprisonment up to 7 years and a fine
4. Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963
The act applies to food exporters to ensure food meant for export meets international safety and quality standards.
5. Insecticides Act, 1968
The act applies to farmers and food processors to regulate pesticide use to prevent harmful residues in food crops.
6. Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 (AGMARK)
The act applies to producers and traders of agricultural commodities to ensure quality through standardized grading.
7. Environment Protection Act, 1986
The act applies to food manufacturing units to control environmental pollution arising from food processing.
8. Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
The act applies to manufacturers of health supplements and nutraceuticals to ensure no spurious or misbranded products enter the food chain.
9. Consumer Protection Act, 2019
The act is applicable to all goods and service providers to ensure consumer rights are protected against deficiency in service by mandating redressal in case of false claims, adulteration, or health hazards.
10. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
The act applies to slaughterhouses and meat processors to regulate humane treatment and hygienic processing.
11. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
The act criminalises food adulteration and the sale of noxious food.
Mandatory Compliance for Food Business Operators (FBOs)
Running a food business legally in India requires strict compliance with:
- FSSAI registration or license
- Routine food safety audits
- Compliance with hygiene standards under Schedule 4 of the FSSAI regulations
- Accurate labelling and packaging
- Employee medical fitness certifications
- Testing from NABL-accredited labs
- Recordkeeping for traceability and recall management
Food Labelling and Advertisement Norms
To empower consumers and prevent misinformation, the following labelling and advertising guidelines must be followed:
Mandatory Label Elements:
- FSSAI license number and logo
- Ingredient list in descending order
- Nutritional facts per serving (calories, carbs, protein, etc.)
- Allergen warnings (e.g., nuts, gluten)
- Manufacturing and expiry dates
- Country of origin (for imports)
- QR Code (as per new FoPL norms)
Prohibited Practices:
- False or misleading health claims
- Use of terms like “superfood,” “natural,” “pure” without scientific validation
- Advertising products as having medicinal or therapeutic benefits
Penalties for Violating Food Laws
Violations of food laws can attract severe consequences, including:
- Fines ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh, depending on the offence
- Suspension or cancellation of the FSSAI license
- Product recall with public disclosure
- Imprisonment (especially in cases of grievous injury or death)
- Legal prosecution under FSSAI or IPC provisions
Special Food Categories & Additional Regulations
Specific food categories have unique regulations and standards:
- Infant Food & Baby Formula: Must comply with specific nutritional guidelines and additives ban.
- Organic Food: Requires certification from NPOP or PGS-India and appropriate labeling.
- Genetically Modified (GM) Foods: Subject to approval from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
- Nutraceuticals & Functional Foods: Regulated under FSS (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use) Regulations, 2016.
Recent Developments & 2025 Regulatory Updates
India’s food regulatory ecosystem continues to evolve in response to consumer trends, scientific advancements, and global standards. As per the latest regulation:
1. Ban on “100 % Natural” & “100 % Pure” Claims
FSSAI has forbidden terms like “100% natural” and “100% pure” on packaged food labels to prevent consumers from being misled by exaggerated purity claims.
2. Removal of “100 % Fruit Juice” Claims
FSSAI now requires fruit juice brands to remove “100% fruit juice” claims from reconstituted juices, mandating explicit mention of “reconstituted” and labelling added sugar correctly.
3. Prominent Nutrition Facts Labeling
FSSAI demands that the presence of sugar, salt, and saturated fat be displayed prominently in a larger font size and bold styling.
4. Quick-Commerce “Dark Stores” Under Inspection
The Maharashtra FDA has begun random inspections of quick-commerce fulfillment centers, such as Blinkit and Zepto, to enforce stringent hygiene and licensing standards under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety Act, 2006.
How to Stay Compliant with Food Laws
Running a food business in India may seem like an easy task, but to avoid legal trouble and maintain trust, the food businesses must
- Obtain and renew FSSAI Registration
- Stay updated via FSSAI’s official notifications
- Display the license/registration certificate at the business premises
- Conduct internal hygiene and safety audits regularly
- Appoint or train a Food Safety Supervisor under FoSTaC/FSSAI programmes and train your staff on sanitation, allergen control, and safe food handling
- Periodically test food and water for microbial and chemical safety
- Use tamper-proof packaging
- Maintain production, processing, distribution records, hygiene logs, and audit documentation
- Do not forget to file the FSSAI Annual Return by 31st May each year and FSSAI Half Yearly Returns (if applicable), by October 21 and April 30 of every year
Conclusion
Food safety in India is governed by a multi-layered system of laws, regulations, and authorities that aim to protect consumers while fostering industrial growth. Adhering strictly to food regulations is both a legal requirement and beneficial from a business perspective, whether you are a food entrepreneur, manufacturer, importer, or service provider.
Being aware of and proactive in responding to changes in food legislation guarantees not only compliance but also customer trust and brand integrity.
