New Delhi: In a move aimed at strengthening transparency in food labelling and helping consumers easily identify plant-based products, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced revised regulations requiring all approved vegan food products to carry a standardised vegan logo on their packaging.

The new requirement has been notified under the Food Safety and Standards (Vegan Foods) Amendment Regulations, 2026, and will become effective from July 1, 2027, giving food businesses sufficient time to comply with the updated norms.

According to the notification published in the Gazette of India, only products that have received regulatory approval as vegan foods will be permitted to display the prescribed logo. The symbol features the word “VEGAN” alongside a leaf motif and is intended to provide consumers with a clear visual identifier while purchasing plant-based products.

FSSAI has also laid down detailed specifications covering the logo's design, dimensions, colour scheme and placement on packaging to ensure uniformity across the industry.

The amendment marks the culmination of a regulatory process that began with a draft proposal issued in December 2022. The food regulator had sought comments and suggestions from industry stakeholders, consumer groups and the public before finalising the revised provisions.

Officials believe the standardised logo will improve consumer confidence by making vegan products easier to recognise while also helping manufacturers adhere to a common national standard.

The revised framework is expected to support the growing vegan food market in India, where demand for plant-based alternatives has steadily increased in recent years due to health, ethical and environmental considerations.

The notification has been issued under the authority of FSSAI Chief Executive Officer Rajit Punhani.

FSSAI reiterates restrictions on Ashwagandha leaves in food products

Separately, the food regulator has also issued an advisory clarifying the permitted use of Ashwagandha in nutraceutical and health-related food categories.

FSSAI noted that the standards governing health supplements, nutraceuticals, foods for special dietary use and foods for special medical purposes permit only specific parts of the Ashwagandha plant for use in such products.

Under Schedule IV of the Food Safety and Standards regulations governing nutraceutical and functional foods, only Ashwagandha roots and root extracts are authorised for use, subject to prescribed limits.

The regulator said it has received information indicating that some manufacturers are incorporating Ashwagandha leaves and leaf extracts in their formulations. It clarified that the use of leaves in raw form, extracts or any other derivative is not permitted under existing regulations.

It reads, "It has been brought to the notice of FSSAI that certain manufacturers of these products are using ashwagandha leaves and their extract in their products. In this regard, it is clarified that the use of Ashwagandha leaves in crude or extract or any other form is not permitted under the said regulations."

With ANI inputs