FSSAI mandates Vegan logo on approved food products from July 2027
The landmark regulation, issued under the Food Safety and Standards (Vegan Foods) Amendment Regulations, is legally scheduled to take effect nationwide on July 1, 2027.
INDIA – The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced a standardized vegan logo requirement for all approved vegan food products, with the regulation set to come into full effect from July 1, 2027.
The requirement has been formally introduced under the Food Safety and Standards (Vegan Foods) Amendment Regulations, 2026, published in the Gazette of India on May 25, 2026.
Under the new regulations, once approval is granted, every package of vegan food will be required to carry a specified green “VEGAN” logo featuring a leaf symbol.
Detailed diagrams specifying the logo, including size, placement, and colour standards, were provided in the notification to guide manufacturers.
The logo is intended to function as a regulatory certification mark rather than a promotional tool, with FSSAI stressing that it is designed to prevent misleading claims in the marketplace.
Under FSSAI regulations, vegan food is defined as a product free from animal-derived ingredients, animal-derived additives, and animal-derived processing aids, including products that have not been subjected to animal testing, except where a regulatory authority requires such testing. This means products containing meat, dairy, eggs, honey, gelatin, or related by-products will not be eligible to carry the designation.
Food Business Operators have been given time until July 1, 2027, to comply with the revised packaging and labelling requirements.
Manufacturers who produce both vegan and non-vegan products must either maintain separate production lines or implement strict cleaning and sanitation procedures for shared equipment to prevent cross-contamination.
The rules will also apply to imported vegan food products sold in India, which must bear the prescribed vegan logo and comply with all applicable FSSAI requirements. Importers will additionally be required to provide certification from recognized authorities in the exporting country confirming the vegan status of the product.
The introduction of the logo aligns India with international practices, in which similar symbols are widely used to denote vegan-friendly products.
The move reflects the broader growth of plant-based diets in India, driven by increasing consumer awareness around health, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability.
The amendment follows a draft notification issued in December 2022, during which stakeholders were invited to submit objections and suggestions over a 60-day period.
Beyond basic consumer convenience, the FSSAI regulation acts as a foundational pillar for India’s evolving plant-based market.
By standardizing definitions and eliminating misleading “plant-based” or “dairy-free” claims, the government is cultivating a high-trust retail ecosystem capable of attracting mainstream shoppers and health-conscious investors alike.
The implementation timeline provides manufacturers with a generous transition window to redesign their packaging materials and secure formal FSSAI certification.
This systemic shift aligns alongside separate, recent regulatory updates, such as expanding the permitted usage of sustainable plant fats like sal-seed fat, positioning India as a highly structured, progressive hub for vegan product innovation.
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