If you sell dry fruits, snacks, spices, tea or any packaged food in India, the pouch is part of your compliance, not just your branding. FSSAI regulates the material that touches the food, the information printed on the pack, and the claims you make. This checklist walks through what a small food brand actually has to get right, and which pouch to pick for each product type.
Quick answer: use a pouch whose food-contact layer is a food-grade plastic, keep a written food-grade declaration or migration test report from your supplier, and make sure your label carries the FSSAI logo and 14-digit licence number, net quantity, ingredient list, allergen declaration, veg or non-veg mark, date marking and MRP.
The two rules that matter
| Regulation | What it covers | What it means for your pouch |
|---|---|---|
| FSS (Packaging) Regulations, 2018 | Materials allowed in contact with food, migration limits, printing restrictions | The inner layer must be a food-grade plastic that meets the relevant Indian Standard; printing must not be on the food-contact side; recycled plastic cannot touch food |
| FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 | Mandatory information on every pre-packaged food label | Your sticker or printed panel must show the items in the checklist below, in legible type sizes, in English or Hindi plus any regional language you choose |
Both are enforced by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). State food safety officers and marketplaces such as Amazon and Flipkart check labels, and a missing licence number is the most common reason a food listing is taken down.
Label checklist for pre-packaged food
| Item | Requirement | Where sellers slip up |
|---|---|---|
| Name of the food | Common or generic name, not only a brand name | Brand name alone on the front panel |
| Ingredient list | Descending order by weight, with additives named by class and INS number | Missing additives or listing in random order |
| Allergen declaration | Declare nuts, milk, gluten, soy, egg, fish, crustaceans, sulphites where present | Nut mixes without an allergen line |
| Nutritional information | Per 100 g or per serving: energy, protein, carbohydrate, sugars, fat and others as applicable | Copying values from a competitor pack |
| Veg or non-veg logo | Green or brown symbol near the product name | Symbol too small or missing on gift packs |
| FSSAI logo and licence number | Logo with the 14-digit licence or registration number of the brand owner | Using the manufacturer number instead of the brand owner number without the correct relationship stated |
| Net quantity | Weight or volume in metric units | Stated in pieces without weight |
| Lot or batch number | For traceability | Left blank on hand-labelled packs |
| Date marking | Date of manufacture or packing and best before or use by date | Only a manufacturing date, no expiry |
| Name and address | Brand owner and, where different, manufacturer or packer | Only an email address |
| MRP | Maximum retail price inclusive of all taxes | Missing on samples that are later sold |
| Customer care details | Phone, email or address for complaints | Omitted on small packs |
Which pouch material is food safe?
| Pouch type | Food-contact layer | Barrier | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kraft paper laminate (with or without window) | Food-grade polyethylene liner | High light barrier, moderate moisture barrier | Dry fruits, granola, tea, spices, cookies |
| Matte or gloss laminated (white, black, gold) | Food-grade polyethylene | Full light barrier, good moisture barrier | Coffee, protein, premium snacks, chocolates |
| Metallised silver laminate | Food-grade polyethylene | Highest moisture and oxygen barrier in this range | Coffee beans, powders, seeds, anything hygroscopic |
| Both-side transparent laminate | Food-grade polyethylene | No light barrier, moderate moisture barrier | Short shelf life or high-turnover snacks, samples |
| Plain single-layer polybag | Varies; confirm with supplier | Low | Inner liner only, not as primary retail pack for most foods |
Every PAQEE stand-up pouch in the zip lock pouch collection uses a food-grade inner sealing layer. Ask your supplier for a food-grade declaration for the specific film and keep it with your FSSAI records; an inspector can ask for it.
Packaging rules beyond the material
- No printing on the food-contact side. Print, labels and stickers go on the outside only.
- No recycled plastic in contact with food. Recycled content is allowed only in outer layers that do not touch the product.
- Seal integrity. Heat seal the top after filling. The zip alone is not a tamper-evident seal for retail.
- Shelf life testing. Your best-before date has to be supported by a shelf life study or supplier data for the barrier you chose. A clear pouch will not deliver the same shelf life as a silver-back pouch.
- Nutraceuticals and infant foods have additional rules and are outside the scope of this guide.
A simple compliance workflow for a small brand
- Register or license with FSSAI based on turnover: basic registration below 12 lakh, State licence up to 20 crore, Central licence above that.
- Choose the pouch by product risk using the material table above and get the supplier declaration.
- Design one label template with every checklist item and have it reviewed once by a food consultant or your local FSSAI office.
- Print labels with batch and date fields left variable, and fill them at packing time.
- Keep a file with the licence, supplier declarations, label proofs and shelf life data for inspection.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an FSSAI licence to sell dry fruits online?
Yes. Anyone packing or selling food, including on Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho or your own website, needs at least FSSAI basic registration, and the number must appear on the label.
Are kraft paper pouches FSSAI compliant?
Kraft pouches are compliant when the paper is laminated to a food-grade plastic liner that forms the food-contact surface. Plain uncoated paper is not suitable for oily or moist foods.
Can I use a sticker instead of a printed pouch?
Yes. A printed sticker with all mandatory information applied to a plain food-grade pouch satisfies the labelling rules and is the usual route for small batches.
What size text is required on the label?
Type size scales with the principal display panel area; for packs under 100 square cm most items must be at least 1 mm in height, rising to 1.5 mm and above on larger packs. Check the current schedule for your pack size.
Does PAQEE provide food-grade documentation?
Ask us for the food-grade declaration for the pouch film you order and we will share the supplier document with your GST invoice.
Browse food-safe stand-up pouches or contact us for material documentation.