FSSAI proposes mandatory standard drink labeling, updated norms for alcoholic beverages
India’s food regulator has proposed amendments to improve labeling clarity and compositional standards for alcoholic beverages.
INDIA – The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018, introducing new labeling and formulation rules for alcoholic beverages.
The draft notification, issued on October 30, 2025, invites public comments within 60 days from its publication in the Official Gazette.
One of the key proposed changes is the mandatory labeling of standard drinks. The draft substitutes the word “may” with “shall” under Part 5, Regulation 5.2, making it compulsory for manufacturers to declare standard drink information on labels. This move aims to enhance consumer awareness of alcohol content and promote responsible consumption.
Additionally, the FSSAI has proposed an amendment to sugar content specifications for sparkling wines in the Brut category. Producers would now be allowed a tolerance of 0.3% above the current limit of 1.2% sugar content, offering more flexibility while ensuring product quality.
The regulator also suggested deleting the phrase “or special wine used” from the section on Wine Based Beverages to streamline product classification and eliminate ambiguity.
The proposed amendments have been released for stakeholder consultation, with feedback to be submitted to the Chief Executive Officer, FSSAI.
Recently, the Department of Personnel and Training appointed Senior IAS officer Rajit Punhani as the new CEO of FSSAI.
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