Herbal Supplement Packaging Requirements in India: A Brand Founder’s Checklist

Getting your herbal supplement to market in India involves more than a good formula. Before your product reaches a retailer or consumer, it needs to meet specific packaging requirements set by Indian regulators: primarily FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) and AYUSH. Getting this right from the start saves you from costly reprints, regulatory delays, and shipment holds.

This guide walks through the mandatory packaging and labelling requirements for herbal supplements sold in India, with practical notes for brand founders working through the process for the first time.

Which Regulatory Body Governs Your Product?

The first question to answer is which regulatory framework applies to your product. In India, herbal supplements typically fall under one of two categories:

FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India): covers nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, and health supplements sold as food products. Most herbal supplement brands in India operate under FSSAI licensing.

AYUSH (Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy): governs products that make traditional medicine claims, including Ayurvedic proprietary medicines. If your product references traditional Ayurvedic benefits or uses classical Ayurvedic formulations, AYUSH licensing applies.

Many brands operate under both, particularly if they sell some products as health supplements (FSSAI) and others as Ayurvedic proprietary medicines (AYUSH). Your contract manufacturer or a regulatory consultant can help you determine the right classification for each SKU.

Mandatory Labelling Requirements Under FSSAI

For products regulated by FSSAI, the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020 set the baseline requirements. Here is what must appear on your label:

Product name: must clearly describe what the product is. Avoid vague descriptors that could mislead consumers about the nature or benefit of the product.

List of ingredients: in descending order of weight. For herbal supplements, include the botanical name in brackets alongside the common name (e.g., “Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)”). Declare all excipients, fillers, and coating agents.

Net quantity: in metric units (grams, milligrams, millilitres). For capsule or tablet products, include both the count and the per-unit weight.

Nutritional information per serving: required for FSSAI-regulated supplements. If your product makes specific nutrient claims, the amounts must be declared.

Manufacturer details: full name and address of the manufacturer, packer, and importer (if applicable). For products manufactured under a white label arrangement, the label must carry the brand owner’s details along with the manufacturer’s FSSAI licence number.

FSSAI licence number: mandatory on every label.

Batch number and date of manufacture: for traceability.

Best before / expiry date: format as MM/YYYY. “Best before” and “use by” have different regulatory meanings; use the correct one for your product type.

Storage instructions: particularly important for moisture-sensitive herbal products.

Directions for use: dosage and serving instructions.

AYUSH Labelling Requirements for Ayurvedic Products

For products licensed under AYUSH, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and its amendments govern labelling. Key requirements include:

The AYUSH licence number must appear on the label. Classical formulations must reference the source text (e.g., “As per Charaka Samhita”). Proprietary Ayurvedic medicines require a complete ingredient list with parts used and quantity per dosage unit. The label must state “For Ayurvedic Use” or equivalent. Contraindications and warnings specific to the formulation are mandatory where applicable.

Common Label Claim Restrictions

One of the most important packaging requirements is understanding what you can and cannot claim on the label. Both FSSAI and AYUSH impose strict rules on health claims:

You cannot claim that a product treats, cures, or prevents a specific disease unless it is licensed as a drug. Phrases like “treats diabetes,” “cures insomnia,” or “prevents cancer” are prohibited on food/supplement labels. Structure-function claims (e.g., “supports healthy immune function,” “helps maintain normal blood sugar levels”) are generally permissible but must not imply disease treatment. Nutrient content claims must be backed by declared nutritional values on the label.

Reviewing your label copy with a regulatory consultant before going to print is strongly recommended: FSSAI has issued notices to brands for misleading claims, and the correction process is time-consuming.

Packaging Material Requirements

Beyond labelling, the physical packaging must meet food-grade standards. FSSAI requires that packaging materials be food-safe, non-toxic, and not liable to contaminate the product. For herbal supplements specifically, pay attention to moisture barrier properties: many botanical ingredients are hygroscopic and will degrade in inadequately sealed packaging.

Blister packs, HDPE bottles with desiccant, and foil pouches are common formats for herbal capsules and powders. Your manufacturer should be able to advise on appropriate packaging for your specific formulation and target shelf life.

Export Packaging: Additional Considerations

If you are manufacturing in India for export, packaging requirements of the destination country apply in addition to Indian regulations. The EU, US, UK, and GCC countries each have their own labelling rules. A manufacturer with export experience, and the relevant certifications, can help you navigate dual-compliance labelling.

Working With Your Manufacturer on Packaging Compliance

A good contract manufacturer is not just a production facility: they should be a resource on compliance. Suncos Natural works with brand founders on label review as part of the pre-production process, helping identify compliance gaps before artwork is finalised. For brands new to the Indian market, this kind of upstream support prevents the most common and costly delays.

Check what MOQ and packaging options are available before finalising your product format: packaging runs often have their own minimum quantities that affect your initial cost model.

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