Understanding the New FSSAI Mandate: How It Protects and Benefits Consumers

Food safety is not just a regulation; it is a fundamental right. In a country as diverse as India, where every home enjoys a wide range of food like milk, oil, biscuits, snacks or any other ingredient, knowing that what we consume is safe makes all the difference. That’s where the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) steps in.

FSSAI is the body that closely monitors what reaches our plates. It plays an important role in protecting public health and interests. Through regular updates in its rules and standards, it ensures that every food product meets strict levels of hygiene, labelling, and nutrition.

The new FSSAI mandate, released in early 2024 and effective from 1st July 2025, takes this commitment a step further. It focuses on greater transparency, clearer labels, and stronger consumer protection, with an aim to improve food safety compliance in India.

Let’s understand what this mandate includes, how it benefits you as a consumer, and how trusted businesses like Kota Fresh are already ahead in compliance.

What is the New FSSAI Mandate?

The new FSSAI mandate, which falls under the FSSAI Regulations 2024, will take effect from July 2025. Here are the key changes you should know as a consumer:

• Ban on 100% Claims: Terms like “100% natural” or “100% pure” are now restricted unless they are scientifically backed. This change helps prevent misleading marketing.

• Clearer Nutrition Labelling: Food packages must now show the percentage of daily intake for added sugar, saturated fats, and sodium in a larger and bolder font. This helps consumers make better health choices at a glance.

• Front-of-Pack Allergen Disclosure: Products that contain common allergens, such as milk, eggs, wheat, nuts, soy, and fish, must now clearly list them on the front of the package, not just in the ingredients list.

• Not for Human Consumption Label: Non-edible items, such as lamp oil or pet products, must now carry a new label featuring a black box with a cross and clear warning text.

• Mandatory Labelling on Travel Meals: Meals served on railways and airlines must now mention brand details, expiry date, vegetarian/non-vegetarian symbol, and allergen information. This ensures safety even while travelling.

• Shelf-Life Rule for Online Deliveries: Packaged food sold online must have a minimum of 45 days' shelf life remaining at the time of delivery. This protects you from receiving nearly expired products.

• Tighter Antibiotic Residue Standards: Stricter limits have been introduced for antibiotic residues in milk, meat, poultry, and fish. This is an important step in controlling antimicrobial resistance and ensuring product safety.

Also Read: What is Fortification of Milk with A Complete Guide

What Does the New FSSAI Mandate Mean for Dairy Products?

Dairy is a daily essential in most Indian households. From milk and curd to flavoured drinks, it forms a large part of our nutrition. That’s why the new FSSAI mandate includes specific updates for the dairy industry. It ensures the products meet mandatory food standards and are safe for everyday consumption.

1. All dairy items such as milk, paneer, curd, butter, lassi, and flavoured milk must now carry a distinct milk product logo. This helps consumers easily identify if the product is dairy-based and avoid confusion, especially in mixed or flavoured foods.

1. Since milk is a major allergen, the new FSSAI rules make it mandatory to list it clearly on the front of the pack. This is a major safety measure for people with dairy allergies, particularly children.

1. The revised standards set tighter limits on antibiotic residues and harmful substances in milk and milk products. This ensures better health protection and aligns with international food safety norms.

1. Packaged dairy items sold online must have a minimum shelf life of 45 days at the time of delivery. This rule is essential for products like flavoured milk, chaach, and lassi, which are often ordered online.

1. From sourcing to packaging, dairy manufacturers are required to follow updated hygiene guidelines. Regular inspections and laboratory testing play a crucial role in ensuring food safety compliance in India, particularly for perishable items like milk.

How Does the New FSSAI Mandate Protect and Benefit Consumers?

The new FSSAI rules for food businesses are advantageous for consumers. Here's how:

• The mandate raises the overall quality of packaged food by enforcing stricter safety, hygiene, and testing protocols.

• Every product is required to undergo more thorough testing, thereby giving consumers greater confidence in their purchases.

• Labelling becomes more accurate and transparent, allowing customers to understand precisely what they are consuming.

• The risk of exposure to harmful substances, such as excess sugar or chemical residues, is significantly reduced.

• People gain access to clear nutritional details, enabling them to make informed choices based on their individual health needs.

• The market becomes more reliable, as only businesses that meet high standards will remain compliant.

How is Kota Fresh Dairy Compliant with the New FSSAI Mandate?

Unlike other dairy brands, Kota Fresh is the best dairy products supplier in Rajasthan. Why you should trust us:

• We are an FSSAI-certified business, supplying pure cow's milk and pure cow's milk products for over a decade.

• Every milk item produced at our facility is ethically sourced, freshly from farms.

• Every batch is quality-tested to ensure products are free from harmful residues, safe to consume and consistent in taste and nutrition.

• At Kota Fresh, we follow a straightforward, transparent, and clear packaging approach that lists all details without any hidden information. Each pack includes complete and accurate information about nutritional values, ingredients, expiry dates and storage instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

• Will food prices increase because of the new FSSAI mandate?

  Ans: There may be a slight increase in pricing as brands invest in better testing, packaging, and compliance. However, this cost ensures improved quality, transparency, and safety, making your food choices more reliable in the long run.

• Q.2 Are flavoured and processed dairy products also covered under the new FSSAI rules?

  Ans: Yes. Products like flavoured milk, lassi, and chaach must meet the same safety, labelling, and nutritional disclosure standards as plain dairy.

• Q.3 How does the new FSSAI mandate help me as a consumer?

  Ans: It ensures you get safer, better-quality food with clear labelling, accurate nutritional information, and reduced health risks from harmful residues or additives.

• Q.4 Can I trust the expiry and nutritional details on packaged dairy now?

  Ans: Yes. The new mandate requires brands to display expiry dates, ingredient lists, and nutritional values clearly and accurately, especially on products such as milk, curd, and paneer.