FOOD AND BEVERAGE LAWS
Food Law
Legal Framework Governing Food and Hygiene Regulations in India
India's food law is supported by a strong framework of legal statute aimed at protecting public health, food safety, hygiene throughout the lifecycle of foodstuff: from production to sale.The legislative framework for food in India is the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This legislation subsumes multiple earlier food legislation and establishes the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as the federal regulatory authority for food safety and hygiene.
At VrinLegal, we help businesses in food and beverage sector navigate through the complex regulatory regime. Whether you are a food manufacturer, food importer or exporter, food retailer, or hospitality business, necessary to informed about food and hygiene laws to avoid legal difficulties and to maintain consumer protections.
Responsibilities and Role of a Food Safety Supervisor
The appointment of a certified food safety supervisor is one of the most essential requirements under Indian food law. The food safety supervisor is responsible for making sure food is safely handled in all possible situations from the moment it is procured to the moment it is consumed.
Duties of a Food Safety Supervisor include:
VrinLegal assists organizations with compliance through training the food safety supervisor and appointing a qualified food safety supervisor in compliance with existing legal obligations.
Licensing and Registration in Food Law
Every food business operating in India whether it is a small food shop or a multinational food chain shall either register or obtain a license from FSSAI. According to their size, The food businesses are classified into 3 categories:
We, at VrinLegal shall provide end-to-end support for documentation, registration, renewal, and legal representation for FSSAI licensing requirement to keep you in compliance under the provisions of food law.
Compliance for Packaging, Labeling, and Marketing
In food law in India, there are stringent requirements for packaging and labeling of food products to guarantee transparency, traceability and consumer safety.
Mandatory Labeling Items:
False or misleading claims in packaging and advertising can be liable for penalties and product bans. Our legal professionals work with businesses to create marketing strategies and check product labels to avoid violations.
Food and Hygiene Standards for Hotels and Restaurants
In the hospitality industry, following food and hygiene standards won't just get you into trouble with the law. Satisfied guests will not only recommend establishments to others, but will follow it up with second, third, or fourth visits. Some of the key areas to focus on are as follows:
We support hotels, cloud kitchens, and food delivery businesses in implementing internal food safety systems in accordance with HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) principles – and our legal team deals with inspections and audits, and any legal notice from the health department.
Potential criminal liability if you breach food laws through food adulteration and/or if your product causes injury or illness
At VrinLegal, we are able to proactively protect your brand against these risks through our litigation support. Our litigation support service manages enforcement actions, legal notices, show cause hearings, and simplify your defense and any claims in consumer courts or regulatory authorities.
Food import and export businesses are subject to a multi-faceted compliance regime relating to Indian food law and international trade laws. Importers are required to:
Our lawyers assist Indian food businesses in handling export documentation, customs labelling for overseas markets and managing their legal risk in international trade disputes.
Training & Certification for Food Safety Compliance
It is each food business' continuing obligation to ensure staff understand the fundamentals of food and hygiene principles.
Regular training assists with reducing the risk of contamination and meeting the obligations of a food safety supervisor.
VrinLegal has facilitated training courses:
We have chosen to partner with certified training bodies to support your people develop a compliance culture for each operational unit in your organization.
The Importance of Legal Expertise in Food Law Issues
The food law landscape in India is always changing; the rapid pace of regulatory amendments to standards, increased number of draft regulations and the pressure to comply with global requirements represent an evolving regulatory landscape. For food businesses, legal expertise in food law is crucial to:
VrinLegal is an strategic legal partner for your food and beverage business. Our lawyers have the industry knowledge needed to protect your interests whether you are a start-up or multinational business.
How VrinLegal can help with your compliance
At VrinLegal we assist with food law and food and hygiene compliance, including:
If you are launching a restaurant, launching a packaged food brand or a global expansion, we can ensure you have the legal foundations in place.
Contact VrinLegal Now
Make sure your business is safe and compliant with India’s food law framework. Contact our lawyers to book your consultation and your journey to safe, legal and hygienic food business practices.