On 8 May 2026, FSSAI issued a revised Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Amendment mandating explicit allergen declarations on all packaged food labels in a standardized format. The rule applies to the 14 major allergens (milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, sesame, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, soy, mustard, celery, lupin, sulphites, and gluten).
Compliance becomes mandatory from 15 June 2026—just 12 days away. Any food unit selling packaged products without compliant labelling faces product seizure, destruction orders, and penalties up to ₹1 lakh per violation.
Market signals
FSSAI has specified that allergen declarations must appear on the principal display panel in a highlighted box using a prescribed font size and language (English + regional language). Generic statements like 'may contain traces' are no longer sufficient; units must declare actual presence or absence explicitly.
The rule applies to all packaged products on shelves from 15 June, including stock manufactured before the notification date. Units cannot sell non-compliant inventory; existing stock must be relabelled, repacked, or destroyed within the grace period.
FSSAI is partnering with accredited labs to audit allergen labelling compliance. Food units are encouraged to obtain third-party certification of their labelling and allergen management procedures to demonstrate due diligence and reduce liability in case of adverse events.
This amendment creates direct FSSAI enforcement risk across all packaged food categories—biscuits, snacks, dairy, beverages, and ready-to-eat products. Units operating under FSSAI registration or licenses must audit their entire label inventory and production processes immediately. Vinayakam Consultants advises food manufacturers and traders on allergen management protocols, label redesign to meet FSSAI's format specifications, and post-compliance documentation to avoid seizure and penalty notices. We also assist in securing FSSAI extension letters if relabelling timelines slip, and represent clients in appeal proceedings if enforcement action occurs.
Your action checklist
- Audit all product labels (existing and in-store stock) against FSSAI's May 2026 allergen declaration requirements by 10 June; flag non-compliant SKUs.
- Engage a designer and FSSAI-recognised lab to redesign labels showing the 14 major allergens in the mandated box format, with English and regional language text; arrange printing by 12 June.
- Conduct a supplier/ingredient audit: obtain allergen declarations from all raw material vendors and test high-risk items (cocoa, nuts, spices) for cross-contamination in your facility.
- Create and retain documented allergen management and label review procedures; seek FSSAI accredited third-party certification of compliance to demonstrate due diligence and reduce penalty exposure post-15 June.
Frequently asked questions
The FSSAI allergen labelling rule becomes mandatory on June 15, 2026. All packaged food products on shelves must comply with the new standardized allergen declaration format by this date.
Food units face product seizure, destruction orders, and penalties up to ₹1 lakh per violation for selling packaged products without compliant allergen labelling.
Yes, the rule applies retroactively to all packaged products on shelves from June 15, 2026, including stock manufactured before the notification date. Existing non-compliant inventory must be relabelled, repacked, or destroyed.