The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified the Food Safety and Standards (Vegan Foods) Amendment Regulations, 2026, making it mandatory for all approved vegan food products to display a designated “Vegan” logo on their packaging.
Under the amended regulations, manufacturers of approved vegan food products must prominently display the prescribed logo once approval has been granted. The notification includes detailed specifications regarding the logo’s design, size, placement and colour scheme to ensure uniformity across products and help consumers easily identify vegan foods.
The amendment follows a draft notification issued in December 2022, during which FSSAI invited comments, objections and suggestions from stakeholders over a period of 60 days. After reviewing the feedback received, the food regulator finalised the amendments to the Vegan Foods Regulations, 2022, with the objective of standardising labelling practices and strengthening consumer confidence in vegan products.
The notification has been issued under the authority of Rajit Punhani, Chief Executive Officer of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
FSSAI Clarifies Rules on Ashwagandha Use in Food Products
Separately, FSSAI has issued an advisory regarding the use of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in food products covered under the Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations, 2016.
The regulator noted that Schedule IV of the regulations specifies the plants and botanicals permitted for use in health supplements, nutraceuticals and special dietary products. According to the regulations, only Ashwagandha roots and their extracts are permitted for use in such products, subject to prescribed limits.
FSSAI stated that it has come to its notice that some manufacturers are using Ashwagandha leaves and leaf extracts in their products. The authority clarified that the use of Ashwagandha leaves in crude form, extract form or any other form is not permitted under the existing regulations.
The advisory reiterates that only the root portion of the plant and its extracts are allowed for use in approved food and nutraceutical products, and manufacturers must comply with these provisions to ensure regulatory compliance and consumer safety.