Today, consumers face an increasing array of packaged foods. Many of these look attractive, but how sure can you be that they are authentic, safe, and compliant? By learning how to check Food labels and FSSAI license, you can protect yourself from counterfeit or non-compliant goods—and ensure what you purchase lives up to its claims.
Why Verifying Matters
Where there is no proper labelling or valid FSSAI license, there are chances of multiple risks involved: misinformation, low quality, health risks, and even legal complications regarding the seller. FSSAI regulates the manufacture, packaging, and sale of food items in India under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Thus, as a smart buyer, always check two things:
The food label tells you the truth about ingredients, nutritional info, manufacture/expiry, and others.
The FSSAI license number or registration printed on the package is valid.
If either is missing or questionable, you may purchase an unsafe or counterfeit product.
Step-by-step: How to verify the FSSAI license
Find the license or registration number on the packaging of your product.
Displaying the FSSAI license/registration number is mandatory for all licensed/registered food business operators.
It may be a 14-digit number for the license or some shorter registration number.
Visit the official portal of FSSAI, the FoSCoS, Food Safety Compliance System platform.
Enter the number, and optionally the business name/other details, in the search tool to check whether the license is valid, active, and corresponds to the brand/manufacturer claimed.
Check license type and expiry:
Basic registration (for small-scale producers)
State license
Central License—large/multi-state
Verify that the license number matches the business on the label (name/address) and is still currently valid.
Check for authenticity signals:
The FSSAI logo should appear on the front label.
Business details—manufacturer, packer, etc.—should be the same as on the license record you obtain.
If the license number is missing or spelled wrong, or the website shows “inactive / cancelled,” consider avoiding the product.
Why it matters: Attackers can counterfeit packaging, copy logos, or put fake license numbers on them. Verification through an official portal minimizes the risks.
Step-by-step: How to verify food labels
Even if the license is genuine, the information on the food label still matters. Labels tell you what you’re actually buying.
Must-check label items—according to FSSAI labelling & display regulations
According to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling & Display) Regulations, 2020, the following is the mandatory information that a pre-packaged food shall contain:
Name of the food—true nature of the food
List of ingredients (in descending order of quantity)
Nutritional information (calories, fat, protein, carbohydrates, salt, etc.) where applicable.
FSSAI logo and license/registration number.
Manufacturing date / Packing date / Expiry or Best Before date.
Net quantity (weight, volume) of contents.
Name and full address of manufacturer/packer/brand owner.
Vegetarian/non-vegetarian symbol (green dot/brown dot) in case of food products.
Batch or lot number.
Indication of any allergens: nuts, dairy products, gluten, etc.
Storage instructions, country of origin (for imports), and other declarations where required.
Practical checklist for you as a consumer
Is the label legible, clear, and not tampered with or smudged? The regulation clearly states that the contents of a label must be “clear, unambiguous, prominent, conspicuous, indelible, and readily legible.”
Does the brand/manufacturer address match what you know of the brand?
Does the ingredients list make sense? For example, if a “natural” product has many
chemical-sounding names that may raise some questions?
Is the best-before/expiry date valid and sensible given the type of product?
If you purchase online or through e-commerce, make sure that label information is also present (regulations require it for online sales).
Does the packaging appear to be legitimate? Poor print quality, misspelling, a fuzzy logo, or an irregular font may indicate counterfeiting.
Are there extra “too good to be true” claims? For example, if a product claims “100% pure” or “zero side effects,” etc., then note that the FSSAI has recently cracked down on misleading “100%” claims.
How Verification of Both Works Together
You build a layered check by verifying the FSSAI license and then verifying the label on the food.
A valid FSSAI license means the business is registered/approved and under regulation.
A compliant label means the packaged product meets the regulatory standard for information and transparency.
If either fails, then you run an increased risk of a fake or non-compliant product.
For example:
Poor labeling from a genuine licensed manufacturer still means risk.
A product may carry a fake license number but have a full label—still unsafe.
Hence, you should always check both.
What to do if you find a suspicious product
Note product name, batch number, license number, date, and store/vendor.
Report to FSSAI through its toll-free helpline or local food safety officer. The FSSAI has a consumer helpline number.
Avoid purchasing further from the same source until verified.
Now, share your feedback or warn others through social networking sites or consumer forums.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the difference between FSSAI registration and an FSSAI license?
A registration (basic) is for very small-scale food business operators with an annual turnover up to a certain threshold, while a license, state or central, is required for larger operations or interstate manufacturing/distribution.
2. Can I purchase a product that has a valid FSSAI license number but does not have an ingredient list or does not clearly indicate that?
Technically, you can buy it, but you should be cautious. The regulation mandates an ingredient list and other information; missing items are a red flag.
3. How frequently should the food business renew the FSSAI license?
Yes—licenses or registrations are to be renewed periodically, and any change in the nature of the business, address, or ownership is to be updated.
4. Are fresh fruits and vegetables or unpackaged foods required to carry full labeling?
Some exemptions apply. For instance, fresh unpacked produce or foods for immediate consumption may not have to bear a full label. For packaged foods, however, the full rules apply.
5. Does verification of the license guarantee that the food is 100% safe?
No one checks for absolute assurance. License and label checking greatly minimizes the risk, but one should also consider brand reputation, packaging integrity, storage conditions at the store/online, and date of expiry. Verification should serve as strong guidance and not sole assurance.
Final words
In this marketplace of choices and pitfalls, you as a consumer have real power: to check labels and check for an FSSAI license every time you purchase packaged foods. These checks are very simple yet most effective. At The Fair Labs we believe that informed consumers drive quality, responsibility, and transparency in the food business.
Next time you pick up something packaged, stop and ask, “Is the FSSAI license number valid and up-to-date?” “Does the label have all required info—ingredients, nutrition, dates, manufacturer, etc.? By habitually asking these questions, you become a smarter buyer and drive change towards safer, more trustworthy food products. Stay Alert. Stay Safe. FSSAI License Verification Food Label Verification Your health and your trust depend on it.