TL;DR
- The FSSAI logo and licence number must appear on the label in a colour that contrasts with the background, under Regulation 5(7) of the Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020.
- The veg symbol is a green filled circle and the non-veg symbol a brown filled triangle, each inside a square, sized by panel area and placed near the product or brand name on the front of pack.
- The vegan logo needs prior approval.
Quick Answer: Under FSSAI rules, the veg or non-veg symbol goes on the principal display panel, close to the product or brand name on the front. The FSSAI logo and licence number must appear in a colour contrasting with the background, under Regulation 5(7) of the 2020 Regulations. The vegan logo may be used only after approval.
Two marks appear on almost every packaged food in India, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) sets exact rules for both. The veg and non-veg symbol has fixed shapes, colours and minimum sizes. The FSSAI logo has fewer rules than many designers assume: a contrast requirement, but no minimum size. A label that gets either wrong does not comply with the Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020.
Label marks at a glance
| Mark | Rule | Shape and colour | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veg symbol | Regulation 5(4)(b) | Green filled circle in a square with a green outline | Front of pack, near the product or brand name |
| Non-veg symbol | Regulation 5(4)(a) | Brown filled triangle in a square with a brown outline | Front of pack, near the product or brand name |
| FSSAI logo and licence number | Regulation 5(7) | Contrast colour to the background | On the label; grouped with declarations under Regulation 6(1) |
| Vegan logo | Vegan Foods Regulations, 2022, Regulation 4 | As approved | Only after approval |
Where Must the FSSAI Logo and Licence Number Appear?
On the label, in a colour that contrasts with the background, under Regulation 5(7) of the Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020. Regulation 5(7) sets no minimum size and no fixed position. The general rule in Regulation 6(1) groups mandatory information on the principal display panel.
Whose Licence Number Goes on the Label?
The brand owner's FSSAI logo and licence number, plus the manufacturer's or packer's licence number if different. For imported food, the importer's logo and licence number appear with the importer's name and address. The number must match the licence actually held, so check it against the FSSAI registration and licence records before printing.
When Can the Logo Be Left Off a Small Pack?
On packs of 100 cm² or less, Regulation 8(1) allows the licence number and logo to be omitted, provided they appear on the multi-unit pack. Regulation 8(5) also lets a GTIN or barcode replace the second licence number.
What Are the Veg and Non-Veg Symbol Size and Colour Rules?
Regulation 5(4) fixes the shape and colour, and Regulation 5(4)(c) fixes the minimum size by principal display panel area.
| Principal display panel area | Circle diameter (veg) | Triangle side (non-veg) | Square side |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 cm² | 3 mm | 2.5 mm | 6 mm |
| 100 to 500 cm² | 4 mm | 3.5 mm | 8 mm |
| 500 to 2,500 cm² | 6 mm | 5 mm | 12 mm |
| Above 2,500 cm² | 8 mm | 7 mm | 16 mm |
The non-veg symbol is a brown triangle, not the older brown dot. A food containing egg as its only non-veg ingredient may add a declaration to that effect.
Which Products Need No Veg or Non-Veg Symbol?
Regulation 5(4)(d) excludes mineral water, packaged drinking water, carbonated water, alcoholic beverages, liquid milk, milk powders and honey. Every other pre-packaged food carries one of the two symbols, unless it is an approved vegan food.
Where Must the Veg or Non-Veg Symbol Be Placed?
On the principal display panel, against a contrasting background, close to the name or brand name of the product on the front of pack. Regulation 5(4) also requires the symbol on pamphlets, leaflets and advertisements for the food.
When May a Product Use the Vegan Logo?
Only after approval under the Vegan Foods Regulations, 2022. Regulation 4(2) allows the logo only after approval, and Regulation 5(1) directs the application to the licensing authority.
| Condition | Provision |
|---|---|
| No ingredient, additive or processing aid of animal origin at any stage | Regulation 2(1), definition of vegan food |
| No animal testing, unless a regulatory authority provides for it | Regulation 3(2) |
| Stored and displayed separately from non-vegan food | Regulation 4(1) |
| Vegan logo used only after approval | Regulation 4(2) |
| Green veg symbol not required | Regulation 4(3) |
A new specification for the vegan logo applies from 1 July 2027, under an amendment notified on 21 May 2026. Until then, the current specification applies.
Which Contrast and Placement Rules Apply to Label Marks?
Contrast is the common rule. The veg and non-veg symbol needs a contrast background, and the FSSAI logo and licence number must contrast with their background. Letter heights for most surrounding declarations follow Regulation 6(3), Table I, from 1 mm to 6 mm by panel area; net quantity, MRP, dates and consumer care follow Legal Metrology sizes. The other Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020 requirements, from ingredients to date marking, apply alongside these marks.
- Measure at print size. Check the symbol against the size table at the actual dimensions of the pack.
- Avoid busy backgrounds. A symbol placed over a photograph may lose the contrast background that Regulation 5(4)(d) requires.
- Keep the symbol on the front. A back-panel veg mark does not meet Regulation 5(4).
Can a Label Use a Downloaded FSSAI Logo?
The official form is in the regulation itself. Regulation 5(7)(a) reproduces the FSSAI logo with the licence number shown as "Lic. No.", so artwork should follow that form rather than a version from a stock-image or logo-download site. The Advertising and Claims Regulations, 2018 also bar use of the FSSAI logo or licence number to promote a product, under Regulation 4(9). The logo marks the licence; it is not an endorsement. The full Regulations are available in the LexComply legal library.
How Can the Marks Be Checked Before Printing?
The LexComply AI Label Compliance Checker scores image quality and readability before anything else, which matters for marks only a few millimetres wide; complex matters can go to its advisory services. Inspectors also review labels during the FSSAI inspection, and changes to FSSAI rules reach the compliance management platform. One account receives one free label assessment after a short sign-up. Questions about the checker itself can go to the LexComply team.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a brown dot for non-veg food. Regulation 5(4)(a) requires a brown filled triangle inside a square with a brown outline.
- Placing the veg symbol on the back panel. Regulation 5(4) requires it on the principal display panel near the product or brand name.
- Sizing the symbol by eye. A panel of 500 to 2,500 cm² needs a 6 mm circle in a 12 mm square under Regulation 5(4)(c).
- Assuming a minimum FSSAI logo size. Regulation 5(7) sets only a contrast requirement, with no minimum size.
- Printing the vegan logo before approval. Regulation 4(2) of the Vegan Foods Regulations, 2022 allows it only after approval.
- Applying the 2027 vegan logo specification now. It takes effect only from 1 July 2027.
Legal Disclaimer
This article is general information on FSSAI label marks, current as at the date shown above. It is not legal advice, and product-specific standards may add requirements beyond those described here.