Food Business Online in India: FSSAI, Labels & Legal Essentials
- Display your FSSAI registration number prominently on your website; it builds trust and is legally required.
- Packaged food labels must show ingredients, nutritional info, allergens, expiry date, and manufacturer details in prescribed fonts and languages.
- Start with compliance built in: a well-designed food business website handles these displays cleanly from launch, avoiding costly rewrites later.
Why Compliance Matters for Online Food Sellers
Selling packaged food online in India is not just a business decision, it is a legal one. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates all food businesses, whether you sell from a shop or a website. Skipping compliance can lead to takedowns, customer refunds, or worse.
The good news: most rules are straightforward, and building them into your website from the start is easier than fixing it later.
FSSAI Registration: Your First Step
Every food business in India needs FSSAI registration or license. If you are small (home-based or micro), you can register under the Eat Right India scheme for a small fee. Larger operations need a full license.
Once you have your registration, here is what you must do on your website:
- Display your FSSAI license or registration number on every product page and your homepage
- Link to or attach a scanned copy of your FSSAI certificate where customers can find it easily
- Include it in your footer or "About Us" section for transparency
This single step builds customer confidence and proves you are a legitimate seller.
Packaged Food Labels: The Rules
If you sell packaged food, your label must include:
- Product name and nature (e.g., "Organic Turmeric Powder")
- Ingredient list in descending order by weight
- Nutritional information (calories, protein, fat, carbs per 100g or per serving)
- Allergen warnings if you use peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, or other allergens
- Manufacturer and packer details: name, address, contact
- Net weight or volume in metric units
- Manufacture and expiry dates in DD/MM/YYYY format
- Storage instructions (e.g., "Keep in cool, dry place")
- Your FSSAI license or registration number
- Veg/Non-veg symbol (green or red square as per FSSAI norms)
Font size matters too. Most text must be at least 1.5mm tall; key info like expiry dates must be clearer and larger.
Labeling for Online Sale
When you sell online, you cannot always show a physical label to the buyer before purchase. So follow these steps:
- Upload clear, high-resolution photos of your label on your product pages
- Include a downloadable PDF of the label
- State label details in your product description
- Be honest about shelf life and storage conditions
Customers should never feel surprised when they receive your product.
Other Compliance Basics
- Hygiene standards: Keep records of your manufacturing process, supplier checks, and hygiene audits
- Traceability: Be ready to trace where ingredients came from
- Recall plan: Have a process to pull products if something goes wrong
- Terms and privacy: State clearly what happens if food arrives damaged
FSSAI can conduct surprise audits, even for online sellers. Being ready saves time and reputation.
Build It Right From Day One
A website built with compliance in mind displays licenses, labels, and terms cleanly without clutter. You avoid costly redesigns, customer complaints, or takedowns later.
This is general information, not legal advice. For specific compliance questions, consult an FSSAI-registered consultant or your state's food department.
Start small, stay compliant, and grow with confidence.
Need a website that is compliant and secure from day one?
We build data-driven websites, web apps and platforms with compliance and security handled properly. Tell us about your project.
Get a free quoteThis article is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, please consult a qualified professional.
