LabelBlind Study Reveals Compliance Gaps in Food Labelling, Raising Governance Concerns

New findings highlight the urgent need for stronger oversight in health and nutrition claims across India’s packaged food industry

A new study by LabelBlind Solutions has drawn attention to serious compliance gaps in food labelling across India, pointing to growing challenges in governance, consumer trust, and regulatory adherence. The LabelBlind Study of Labelling Claims in India’s Packaged Food Industry 2025–26 is one of the most detailed independent evaluations of its kind, analysing 5,058 labelling claims across widely consumed food products.

The findings show that more than one-third of all claims (33.6 per cent) either failed to meet regulatory standards or lacked sufficient evidence to support them. Of these, 21.3 per cent were found to be non-compliant, while 12.3 per cent required further verification, falling short of requirements under FSSAI regulations, ASCI guidelines, and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

The study covered 18 food categories, including daily household staples such as edible oils, ghee, honey, and tea, as well as newer categories like plant-based beverages, ready-to-eat meals, and packaged snacks. Alarmingly, everyday staples showed the highest levels of non-compliance. Nearly 80 per cent of health claims on honey and over 65 per cent on ghee failed compliance checks, raising concerns about misleading information reaching consumers.

According to Dr Rashida Vapiwala, Founder and CEO of LabelBlind, food labels are often the only source of information consumers rely on today. “Clarity, accuracy, and credibility on labels are not just regulatory obligations, they are essential to protecting public health,” she said.

The report reinforces broader regulatory warnings, with the food and beverage sector repeatedly flagged for misleading claims. LabelBlind has urged brands to strengthen internal governance, integrate compliance earlier in product development, and adopt digital tools to ensure accuracy as regulatory scrutiny and consumer awareness continue to rise.