FSSAI lists minor labelling defects

FSSAI puts emphasis on States/UTs governments to issue necessary instructions to the State Dos and FSOs to deal with the cases involving minor labelling defects

FSSAI has advised that in cases of minor labelling defects without any food concern, improvement notice under Section 32 of FSSA Act 2006 should be issued instead of initiating adjudication proceedings against concerned Food Business Operator (FBO).

Resorting to adjudication proceedings in such cases not only causes avoidable harassment of FBOs but also in the waste of scarce resources of enforcement machinery of states/UTs which could be utilized more meaningfully elsewhere to ensure safe ad nutritious food to senior citizen.

A list of labelling defects categorized into exceptions (minor labelling defects of insignificant nature and without any food safety concern) and Mandatory cases (against which adjudication action would be taken) is given below.

States/UTs governments are, therefore advised to issue necessary instructions to the State Dos and FSOs to deal with the cases involving minor labelling defects not poising any food safety concern under Section 32 of FSS Act, 2006, under intimation to this office.

Minor labelling defects for which compliance measures shall be initiated through Improvement Notice-

1) Deviation in the display format of FSSAI License number and Logo

2) Improper printing, like printing over sealed edge wherein the details, are non-readable

3) List of ingredients not displayed on label

4) Lot/Batch code no. not displayed on label

5) Nutritional fats not displayed on the label

6) Non-compliance in respect of Capital letters/Mentioned in Box/Front Size but the content is in compliance

7) Veg and Non- Veg Logo not displayed on label