10 Common Food Labelling Mistakes Small Food Businesses Make in India

Why Food Labelling Gets Small Businesses in Trouble

Food labelling is one of the most common areas where small food businesses fail FSSAI compliance checks — and one of the most preventable. Many entrepreneurs focus on making great food but underestimate the detailed labelling requirements. Incorrect labels can result in product seizure, retailer rejection, fine of up to ₹3 lakh for misleading labels, and costly reprints. Here are the 10 most common mistakes and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Missing FSSAI License Number

The error: The 14-digit FSSAI registration or license number is completely absent from the label or incorrect.

Why it matters: The FSSAI number is mandatory on all packaged food products. Without it, you cannot legally sell through retailers or online platforms, and you risk product seizure.

Fix: Always include your complete 14-digit FSSAI number in the format "FSSAI Lic. No. XXXXXXXXXXXXXX" on the label.

Mistake 2: Wrong or Missing Veg/Non-Veg Symbol

The error: Using a red circle (non-veg symbol) for a vegetarian product, or omitting the symbol entirely, or using a non-standard symbol.

Why it matters: FSSAI mandates the green square symbol for vegetarian products and the red circle symbol for non-vegetarian products. The specific shapes are mandated — you cannot substitute with your own design.

Fix: Use the exact symbols as specified in FSSAI's labelling regulations. Green filled square = veg; Brown/maroon filled circle = non-veg. Symbol must be at least 3mm x 3mm and printed prominently.

Mistake 3: No Allergen Declaration

The error: Products containing peanuts, tree nuts, milk, wheat, soy, egg, fish, or shellfish — but no allergen declaration on the label.

Why it matters: Allergen reactions can be life-threatening. FSSAI requires allergens to be declared in bold in the ingredients list AND in a separate "Contains:" statement. This is one of the most serious labelling failures.

Fix: Review your recipe for the 8 major allergens. Bold them in the ingredients list AND add "Contains: [allergen name]" statement. If there's a risk of cross-contamination (shared equipment), add "May contain traces of [allergen]."

Mistake 4: Incorrect Best Before Date Format

The error: Using non-standard date formats like "6 months from manufacture" or "MM-YY" instead of the required format.

Why it matters: FSSAI requires dates in DD/MM/YYYY format or at minimum MM/YYYY. "Best before 6 months" is not acceptable.

Fix: Always print the actual Best Before date in DD/MM/YYYY format on the label. Use a best-before date printer for variable data (date and batch number).

Mistake 5: Ingredients Not in Descending Order by Weight

The error: Listing ingredients alphabetically, by importance, or in random order.

Why it matters: FSSAI requires ingredients to be listed in descending order by weight (the ingredient present in the largest quantity first). This allows consumers to understand what makes up most of the product.

Fix: Weigh your recipe ingredients and list them from highest to lowest weight. For compound ingredients (e.g., chocolate sauce), declare the compound name and then its sub-ingredients in brackets.

Mistake 6: No Batch / Lot Number

The error: Products have no batch number or lot number.

Why it matters: Batch numbers are essential for traceability. In case of a food safety incident, FSSAI will ask you to identify which batches are affected. Without batch numbers, you may have to recall your entire stock.

Fix: Establish a simple batch numbering system (e.g., year+month+sequential number: 2026041001) and print it on every pack with the manufacture date.

Mistake 7: MRP Not Inclusive of Taxes

The error: Declaring MRP exclusive of GST ("MRP ₹100 + GST") instead of the all-inclusive price.

Why it matters: Under the Legal Metrology Act, MRP must be inclusive of all taxes. Separate tax declarations on the MRP label are prohibited.

Fix: Calculate your final price inclusive of GST and print that as the MRP. For example, if your cost + margin is ₹100 and GST is 5%, your MRP should be ₹105 (or round up as needed).

Mistake 8: Missing Nutritional Information

The error: No nutritional information panel, or nutritional info only "per 100g" without a "per serving" column.

Why it matters: FSSAI's labelling regulations require nutritional information to be declared per 100g/100ml AND per serving size. Minimum required parameters: Energy (kcal), Protein, Carbohydrate (total and sugar), Total Fat (saturated and trans), and Sodium.

Fix: Get your product tested at a NABL-accredited lab for nutritional composition. Display results in the standard FSSAI nutritional table format. If lab testing is not affordable yet, use verified food composition databases (IFCT 2017) for calculation.

Mistake 9: Using "Organic" Without Certification

The error: Labelling products as "Organic", "100% Organic", or "Made with Organic Ingredients" without NPOP or PGS-India certification.

Why it matters: Using "Organic" without certification is a misleading label claim — a serious FSSAI violation with fines up to ₹10 lakh.

Fix: If your ingredients are genuinely organically grown but uncertified, you can say "made with naturally grown ingredients" or "no synthetic pesticides used" — but NOT "organic." Get NPOP/PGS certification to legitimately use the organic claim.

Mistake 10: Font Too Small to Read

The error: Key declarations like ingredients, allergens, or best before date are printed in 6pt or 7pt font on small packages — practically unreadable.

Why it matters: FSSAI specifies minimum font heights for different package sizes. More importantly, customers can't make safe food choices if they can't read the label.

Fix: For packages >200g: minimum 1.5mm font height for most declarations. For smaller packages: minimum 1.0mm. Allergen declarations must be in bold and easy to find.

How to Get Your Label Reviewed Before Printing

Before printing thousands of labels, get a label review:

• Submit your draft label to Velco Legal India's FSSAI compliance team for a review against current FSSAI regulations
• Review cost is far lower than reprinting labels or facing an FSSAI penalty
• Velco Legal India reviews labels for: FSSAI number, veg/non-veg symbol, allergens, date formats, nutritional table, claims compliance, and Legal Metrology requirements

Conclusion

These 10 labelling mistakes are avoidable with proper knowledge and pre-print review. Spend the time to get your label right before your first production run — it will save you significant cost, time, and regulatory trouble down the line.