Direction under section 16(5) regarding extension of date of enforcement for labelling provisions under Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) First Amendment Regulations, 2025 dated 20th June, 2025

F. No. Std/SP-21/T(Alcohol-6) Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (A statutory Authority under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India) FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi-110002

The 27th November, 2025

Subject; Direction under section 16(5) regarding extension of date of enforcement for labelling provisions under Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) First Amendment Regulations, 2025 dated 20th June, 2025 -reg.

Reference is drawn to the notification of the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages), First Amendment Regulations, 2025 dated 20th June, 2025 w.r.t. standards of mead (honey wine), craft beer, Indian liquors, wine-based beverages, alcoholic ready-to-drink (RTD) products and Indian liquors along with some provisions related to labelling, wherein date of enforcement was specified as 01st January, 2026.

2. Meanwhile, representation has been received from a stakeholder highlighting the fact that alcoholic beverages are also regulated under State Excise Laws, label registration is mandatory and generally aligned with the commencement of the excise year (1st April or, in certain States, 1st July) and mid-year change in labelling requirements would create significant operational difficulties, including disruption of business operations, wastage of pre-printed labels, additional costs associated with re-registration of labels.

3. After considering the above facts and also taking into consideration the order dated 3rd January ,2025 regarding timeline for the compliance of amendments in labelling provisions, it has been decided to extend the date of enforcement up to 1st July,2026 for provision related to labelling under Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) First Amendment Regulations, 2025.

4. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority in exercise of the power vested under 16(5) of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

(Anil Mehta) Director (Regulation)

To

1. All Food Safety Commissioner.
2. All Authorized Officer, FSSAI.
3. All Central Designated Offices of FSSAI.
4. CITO, FSSAI- for uploading on the website.

Copy for information to:

1. PPS to Chairperson, FSSAI
2. PS to CEO, FSSAI
3. All Directors, FSSAI