The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced a new mandatory labelling requirement for milk and milk products, including composite milk products, through the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Second Amendment Regulations, 2026. The notification, issued on November 6, 2026, requires all covered dairy products to carry a specified logo on their packaging from July 1, 2028.
Published in the Gazette of India on November 9, 2026, the regulation amends the existing Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. The new requirement introduces a standardised visual identification system for dairy products, with minimum logo dimensions determined by the area of the product’s principal display panel.
New Labelling Requirement Covers All Milk and Milk Products
Under the amended regulations, all milk and milk products, including composite milk products, must display the logo specified by FSSAI. The provision refers to products covered under sub-clause (a) of clause (5) of sub-regulation 2.1.1, Regulation 2.1 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.
The requirement will apply from July 1, 2028, giving dairy manufacturers, cooperatives, processors and packaging companies time to prepare for implementation.
The amendment forms part of FSSAI’s continuing efforts to strengthen food labelling and display requirements in India’s food industry. By introducing a uniform logo, the authority establishes a consistent visual identification requirement across the covered categories of dairy products.
Logo Dimensions Linked to Packaging Display Area
FSSAI has specified minimum dimensions for the new logo according to the size of the principal display panel (PDP) on the packaging. The dimensions ensure that the logo is scaled according to the available display area rather than being presented at an identical size across all packages.
The notification provides four categories:
| Principal Display Panel Area | Minimum Square Side (A) | Minimum Drop Height (B) | Minimum Drop Width (C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 cm² | 6 mm | 4.56 mm | 3 mm |
| Above 100 to 500 cm² | 8 mm | 6.08 mm | 4 mm |
| Above 500 to 2,500 cm² | 12 mm | 9.12 mm | 6 mm |
| Above 2,500 cm² | 16 mm | 12.16 mm | 8 mm |
These specifications establish the minimum dimensions for the square and drop-shaped elements of the prescribed logo. Dairy businesses will need to account for these measurements when preparing packaging artwork and label designs.
Dairy Manufacturers and Cooperatives Need to Prepare
The new regulation has implications for India’s diverse dairy supply chain, which includes large cooperative brands, private dairy processors, regional milk producers and manufacturers of value-added dairy products.
Milk packaging formats vary significantly, ranging from small retail pouches and cartons to larger milk containers, butter packs, cheese packaging, yoghurt cups and other dairy product formats.
Manufacturers will need to review their existing packaging designs and identify the appropriate logo dimensions based on each product’s principal display panel area. Packaging suppliers and printing companies may also need to coordinate with dairy businesses to incorporate the prescribed logo into future packaging materials.
For dairy cooperatives handling products across multiple brands and pack sizes, reviewing packaging specifications ahead of the implementation date will be particularly important.
Implementation Date Set for July 1, 2028
The amendment was issued following the consideration of public objections and suggestions received on the draft Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Amendment Regulations, 2025.
The draft was originally notified on February 17, 2025, and made available to the public on February 20, 2025. FSSAI subsequently considered the feedback before finalising the 2026 amendment with prior approval from the Central Government.
The final notification was issued on November 6, 2026, and published in the Gazette of India on November 9, 2026. The regulations will come into force on July 1, 2028.
A New Compliance Milestone for India’s Dairy Industry
The introduction of a standardised logo represents an important packaging compliance development for the Indian dairy sector. With a wide range of milk and milk products available through retail and distribution networks, consistent labelling requirements will require coordination between manufacturers, packaging suppliers and regulatory teams.
For dairy businesses, the immediate priority will be to understand the prescribed logo specifications, assess existing packaging formats and incorporate the requirement into future packaging development plans.
As the July 2028 implementation date approaches, timely preparation will help dairy manufacturers manage the transition while maintaining compliance with India’s evolving food safety and labelling regulations.
