Decoding Transparency: Addressing Ambiguities in India’s Food and Alcoholic Beverage Labelling Regulations

Food and Drugs By 0

This research paper examines the regulatory gaps within India’s Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, and the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018. While these regulations were designed to ensure transparency and empower consumers to make informed dietary choices, ambiguities persist regarding the origin and nature of certain ingredients, particularly animal-based additives and processing aids. The study explores how vague classifications, exemptions for specific products, and residue-based disclosure requirements limit transparency, impacting consumers with religious, ethical, or dietary restrictions. Drawing on an RTI application filed to seek clarity on these issues, the paper analyses the implications of these gaps for consumer rights and public health. Recommendations for regulatory enhancement include comprehensive ingredient origin disclosure, uniform non-vegetarian labelling across all food products, and the inclusion of animal-based processing aids in labelling, regardless of residue detection. By aligning FSSAI’s standards with international best practices, the study argues that India’s food labelling framework can better support informed consumer choices and public trust.

Keywords: Food safety, FSSAI, consumer rights, ingredient transparency, alcoholic beverages