India overhauls dairy labelling rules, forcing packaging redesigns

INDIA – The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has adopted a compulsory packaging logo for milk and dairy products, including composite milk products, requiring manufacturers, cooperatives and processors to redesign labels and artwork before the requirement takes effect on 1 July 2028.

The change is set out in the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Second Amendment Regulations, 2026. 

The authority issued the notification on 6 November 2026, and it appeared in the Gazette of India on 9 November, modifying the labelling and display rules adopted in 2020 by adding a common visual identifier for the dairy categories covered by the provision. 

The prescribed design contains square and drop-shaped components, with dimensions expressed as the minimum side length of the square, labelled A, and the minimum height and width of the drop, labelled B and C.

Four Packaging Bands Determine Minimum Dimensions

Four packaging-area bands determine the applicable measurements. 

For a display panel measuring no more than 100 square centimetres, the square must have a side of at least 6 millimetres, with the drop at least 4.56 millimetres high and 3 millimetres wide. 

For panels exceeding 100 square centimetres but no larger than 500 square centimetres, those minimum measurements rise to 8 millimetres, 6.08 millimetres and 4 millimetres respectively. 

Panels above 500 square centimetres and up to 2,500 square centimetres require a square side of 12 millimetres, drop height of 9.12 millimetres and drop width of 6 millimetres. 

Above 2,500 square centimetres, the corresponding minimum dimensions are 16 millimetres, 12.16 millimetres and 8 millimetres.

Scope Covers Retail Pouches and Larger Formats

The scope is defined by reference to sub-clause (a), clause (5), sub-regulation 2.1.1 of Regulation 2.1 in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. 

Products falling within that provision must bear the prescribed symbol. 

The packaging formats affected range from retail milk pouches and cartons to larger containers, butter packs, cheese packaging and yoghurt cups. 

Manufacturers will need to check existing designs against the applicable size band, while cooperatives operating multiple brands and pack sizes will need to review packaging specifications. 

Packaging suppliers and printers may need to work with dairy businesses to incorporate the symbol into subsequent materials.

Consultation Preceded Final Regulations

The amendment followed consultation on draft labelling and display changes for 2025. 

That draft was notified on 17 February 2025 and became publicly available on 20 February. The authority considered objections and suggestions submitted during the consultation before finalising the 2026 regulations with prior approval from the Central Government. 

For India’s dairy packaging sector, the mandate adds a compliance requirement across a highly fragmented market, requiring coordinated artwork revisions and print runs across thousands of product variations.

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