Food Packaging and Labelling: How FSSAI Rules Protect Food and Help Consumers Make Better Choices

Food packaging and labelling play an important role in protecting food, maintaining its quality and communicating essential information to consumers. In India, these aspects are regulated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) through the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018 and the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. This article discusses the role of food packaging, with particular attention to primary and secondary packaging and the suitability of food-contact materials. It also examines how packaging functions as a communication and marketing tool while remaining an important part of food safety. The article further describes the major information provided on food labels, including ingredients, nutritional information, allergen declarations, quantity, date-related information and FSSAI identification. Special attention is given to nutrition information and the emerging discussion around front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL), which aims to make important nutritional information easier to notice and understand. Overall, the article highlights how safe packaging and clear, accurate labelling work together to protect food and support informed consumer choices.