Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) called upon plant-based food manufacturers to voluntarily adopt QR codes on their product labels.
Speaking at the 4th Plant-Based Foods Summit in New Delhi, FSSAI CEO Rajit Punhani highlighted that current physical labels are often too small and complex for consumers to read clearly, particularly when it comes to detailed nutritional and ingredient data.
The QR Code Strategy
The move is part of a broader push to modernize food labeling for a digitally native audience.
- Targeting Gen Z: The regulator noted that younger consumers prefer scanning codes to instantly verify ingredient lists and daily nutritional requirements.
- Voluntary vs. Mandatory: For now, FSSAI is not making QR codes mandatory. Instead, it is “urging” and “calling for” voluntary adoption to build consumer trust in the rapidly growing plant-based sector.
- Nutritional Transparency: The QR codes are intended to link to comprehensive information that doesn’t fit on small packaging, such as:
- Detailed allergen declarations.
- Scientific backing for any “health” or “sustainability” claims.
- Multilingual label information (an ongoing FSSAI goal for 2026).
Context: The Plant-Based Regulatory Framework
This recommendation builds on the existing foundation FSSAI has laid for vegan and plant-based foods in India.
| Feature | Current Status (March 2026) |
| Vegan Logo | Mandatory for all certified vegan products. |
| “100%” Claim Ban | FSSAI recently banned the use of “100%” on labels if it misleads consumers about the product’s nature. |
| Sustainability Goal | India aims to position itself as a “standards-driven hub” for global plant-based exports. |
| New Compliance Date | New general labeling amendments now take effect annually on July 1, with a 365-day transition period. |
Why Now?
The “QR push” comes at a time when the plant-based industry is facing conflicting pressures:
- Medical Community: Some doctors have raised concerns over the “highly processed” nature of certain meat alternatives.
- Social Media Misinformation: FSSAI acknowledged that “fake news” regarding plant-based diets has made their public messaging more difficult.
- The “Shadow” Crisis: As the LPG shortage forces more households toward raw or plant-based home cooking, there is a surge in demand for transparent, packaged plant-based staples.
Industry Reaction
Praveer Srivastava, Executive Director of the Plant-Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA), welcomed the move, noting that India’s strong agricultural base makes it a prime candidate for becoming a “global hub” for these products if it can lead in transparency.
