10 Hidden FSSAI Label Rules 99% Brands Miss (2025 Expert Guide by Foodsure)

Why Your Food & Beverage Label Is a Legal Document — Not Just Design

If you’re launching a food or beverage brand in India, your label isn’t just packaging — it’s a legal compliance document.
Founders often perfect colours, logo, and aesthetics…
But miss critical FSSAI rules that decide approval or rejection.

At Foodsure, our audits show 92% early-stage FMCG brands fail 4–5 label checks, leading to:

• Product rejections
• Costly reprinting
• Delayed retail launch
• Distributor refusal
• Heavy penalties

This guide reveals 10 hidden FSSAI rules most brands miss — and how to fix them.

What You Will Learn

✔ 10 hidden FSSAI labelling mistakes

✔ Simple, actionable fixes

✔ Practical examples

✔ Packaging elements that need redesign

✔ Full audit-ready checklist

✔ How to get your label approved instantly

Rule 1: Wrong Panel Hierarchy (Front vs Back Placement)

The Problem

Most designers don’t understand FOP/BOP rules and randomly place mandatory elements.

FSSAI Requires Front-of-Pack (FOP) To Show

• Brand name
  
• Product name
  
• Net quantity
  
• Veg/Non-veg symbol
  
• Key claims
  
• FoP Nutrition Warning (coming soon)

Many brands push net weight or veg logo to the sides — instant non-compliance.

Fix

✔ Keep product name + net quantity + veg/non-veg on the primary front panel

✔ Maintain minimum 3 mm font height

✔ Don’t split mandatory data into two sides

Rule 2: Wrong Font Size (Biggest Reason for Label Failure)

FSSAI Minimum Font Height

• Up to 100 cm² → 1 mm
  
• 100–500 cm² → 1.5 mm
  
• Above 500 cm² → 2–4 mm

Most designers don’t measure x-height properly.

Fix

✔ Use 1.5 mm minimum for all bottles, cans, pouches

✔ Measure x-height, not software font size

✔ Take a physical printout test

Rule 3: Wrong Ingredient Order

The Problem

Ingredients listed in marketing order — not descending weight order.

Correct Example

❌ Cocoa, Milk Solids, Sugar
✔ Sugar, Milk Solids, Cocoa

Fix

✔ List ingredients highest to lowest

✔ Declare sub-ingredients

✔ Avoid terms like “Premium”, “Natural” without approved claims

Rule 4: Missing Ingredient Percentage (QUID)

If you highlight an ingredient (e.g., “22% Real Mango”), you must declare its %.

Fix

✔ Declare % beside each highlighted ingredient

✔ Match % with approved RTR sheet

✔ Write like: Mango Pulp (22%)

Rule 5: Missing Allergen Declaration (Highly Penalised)

Mandatory Allergens

Milk, Soy, Gluten, Peanut, Tree Nut, Fish, Egg, Sulphites

Fix

✔ Add CONTAINS: Milk, Soy, Wheat

✔ Keep in bold + caps

✔ Place separately under ingredients

Rule 6: Missing Manufacturer, Packer & Marketer Details

If you use third-party manufacturing, all three must be declared:

✔ Manufactured By

✔ Packed By

✔ Marketed By

Fix

✔ Full address + PIN

✔ Name must match GST + FSSAI license

✔ Add customer care phone + email

Rule 7: Incorrect Nutrition Table Format

Mandatory Nutrients

Energy, Protein, Carbohydrates, Total Sugar, Added Sugar, Fat, Sat Fat, Trans Fat, Sodium

Most brands miss Added Sugar or Sodium.

Fix

✔ Follow FSSAI-standard table

✔ Add per 100 g/ml + per serving

✔ Mention serving size

Rule 8: Misuse of Claims (Very Common)

Brands wrongly use:

❌ 100% Natural
❌ Sugar-Free
❌ High Protein
❌ Immunity Booster

Fix

✔ Natural → Only for minimally processed items

✔ Sugar-Free → <0.5 g sugar per 100 g

✔ High Protein → ≥20% energy from protein

✔ No Added Sugar → R&D validated

Rule 9: Missing Storage Instructions

Fix

Add statements like:

Store in a cool, dry place

Refrigerate after opening

Consume within 3 days

Place near MRP/batch info.

Rule 10: Wrong Net Quantity / Drained Weight Format

Fix

✔ Always write: Net Quantity: ___ g/ml

✔ Add drained weight for brined/canned items

✔ Keep near FOP

Wrong FSSAI License Number Format

❌ FSSAI Lic No:
✔ FSSAI License Number: XXXXXXXXXX

Foodsure’s FSSAI Label Audit Checklist

Why Brands Still Fail FSSAI Label Audit

• Designers lack regulatory expertise
• Competitor labels are copied blindly
• Claims not scientifically validated
• R&D & artwork not aligned
• No mock inspection before printing

Fix All Issues in 48 Hours — With Foodsure

Foodsure provides:

✔ Label content correction

✔ Artwork fixing

✔ R&D alignment

✔ Claim validation

✔ Final compliance certificate

Brands using Foodsure see 94% less label rejection.

Need Your Label Checked Before Printing?

📞 WhatsApp: +91-8130404757
📧 Email: wecare@foodsure.in

We check:

• FSSAI compliance
  
• Nutrition table
  
• Ingredient order
  
• Claims
  
• Mandatory declarations
  
• Panel placement

Conclusion

Most brands fail FSSAI inspection because of incorrect labels, not unsafe products.
By following these rules, you can:

• Avoid reprints & penalties
  
• Prevent launch delays
  
• Build retailer & distributor trust

Create legally strong packaging