Exemptions for small packages explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Regulation 7 makes the Schedule II declarations prominent and sets their type size. Regulation 8 then lists the exemptions: small packages (up to 100 square centimetres, with a further relief below thirty), refillable bottles, short shelf life food, food served for immediate consumption, barcode-based exemptions and assorted packs.
The text is read as amended up to 24 March 2026 (FSSAI Compendium Version VIII dated 09.09.2025; the First Amendment Regulations, 2026 apply from 1 July 2027). FSSAI compendia are reference consolidations and the Gazette text prevails. Later notifications should be checked on fssai.gov.in. A brand with small sachets or multi-packs can have the exemptions applied correctly through our FSSAI label compliance service.
Declarations in Schedule II must be prominent and in numerals and letters not less than 3mm (based on the letter l), or 1mm for a package of up to 30 cm2 containing sweetener. A package with a surface area of not more than 100 square centimetres is exempt from a list of particulars, which move to the multi-unit package. From 1 July 2027 a new clause (1B) also lets notified logos be left off such small packages.
Regulation 7: mandatory declarations
7(1) Wherever packaged food contains ingredients and/or additives as stated in Schedule II, the same shall be prominently displayed on the label. The size of numerals and letters for the declarations or specific requirements in Schedule II shall not be less than 3mm, based on the letter l. A proviso (marked as inserted) says that for a food package having surface area up to 30cm2 containing a caloric or non caloric sweetener or a mixture, the size shall not be less than 1mm based on the letter l.
7(2) The Food Authority may modify, delete or add any of the ingredients and/or additives and corresponding declarations from time to time. The Schedule II statements themselves are covered in our articles on Schedule II, part 1 and part 2.
Regulation 8: exemptions
8(1): small packages
Where the surface area of the package is not more than 100 square centimetres, the label is exempted from these requirements:
- list of ingredients;
- lot number, batch number or code number;
- nutritional information;
- labelling of irradiated food;
- declaration of food additives;
- licence number and logo;
- the name and complete address of the importer; and
- instructions for use.
These particulars shall, however, be given on the multi-unit packages. A further relief, shown in the compendium as an amended clause, says that the "date of manufacture" and "Use by Date or Expiry Date" may not be required on a package having surface area of less than thirty square centimetres, but this information shall be given on the multi-unit packages.
8(2): refillable bottles
In the case of liquid products marketed in bottles intended to be reused for refilling, the list of ingredients is exempted, but the nutritional information in regulation 5(3) shall be given on the label.
8(3): short shelf life
For food with shelf-life of not more than seven days, the "date of manufacture" may be omitted from the label of packaged food articles, but the "Expiry/use by" shall be mentioned by the manufacturer or packer.
8(4): food served for immediate consumption
Prepared food served for immediate consumption, for example in hotels, by food service vendors, caterers or halwais, in hospitals, at religious gatherings, or served in airlines, railways, passenger vehicles or any mobile unit, shall accompany or display the minimum information at the point of sale or serve:
- (a) the specific declarations in sub-regulations 1.1(1), (2), (3), 1.4(3), (4) and 1.9 of Schedule II;
- (b) information relating to allergen; and
- (c) the logo for veg or non-veg.
A proviso says that for food served through a vending machine, the labelling requirements of regulation 5(3) shall be displayed in addition, by appropriate presentation on the outside of the vending machine or through a poster, leaflet or on the container.
8(5): barcode or GTIN
The following are exempted if provided in a barcode or Global Trade Identification Number (GTIN): the address of the brand owner (whether or not the manufacturer, marketer, packer or bottler), and the licence number of the manufacturer, marketer, packer or bottler if different from the brand owner.
8(6): assorted packs
For assorted packs, the shelf life declared shall be that of the product having the earliest shelf life declared among the different pre-packaged foods packed inside.
A quick table
| Situation | Relief |
|---|---|
| Package up to 100 square centimetres | Exempt from ingredients, batch, nutrition, irradiation, additives, licence and logo, importer address and instructions; shown on multi-unit pack |
| Package of less than thirty square centimetres | Date of manufacture and Use by or expiry may be omitted; shown on multi-unit pack |
| Refillable liquid bottle | Ingredients list exempt; nutrition declaration still required |
| Shelf life of not more than seven days | Date of manufacture may be omitted; Expiry/use by required |
| Food served for immediate consumption | Minimum information at point of sale or serve (8(4)) |
| Barcode or GTIN carrying the data | Brand owner address and different manufacturer's licence number exempt |
| Assorted pack | Earliest shelf life among the contents |
Notified change, in force from 1 July 2027
The First Amendment Regulations, 2026 (24 March 2026) renumber regulation 8(1)(a) as (1A) and insert after it a new sub-regulation: "(1B) The logos notified under Food Safety and Standards Regulations may not be given where the surface area of the package is not more than 100 square centimetres, but this information shall be given on the multi-unit packages." Until 1 July 2027 the text above applies, and the FSSAI logo and licence number exemption already sits in 8(1). The logos in question include those in Schedule I.
An invented example
Tiny Treats sells sweets in a 25 cm2 sachet and sells ten sachets in a multi-unit bag. The sachet, being under 30 cm2, may omit the date of manufacture and expiry, the ingredients list, nutrition table, FSSAI logo and licence number, but the bag carries all of them. If a sachet contained a sweetener, the Schedule II statement on it could be 1mm rather than 3mm. A separate dessert shop that serves fresh jalebi to walk-in customers shows the allergen information and the veg logo at the counter. Its vending machine of packaged drinks also displays the regulation 5(3) nutrition information on the outside of the machine.
Need help with small packs and multi-packs?
Exemptions are easy to over-read: they usually move information to the multi-unit pack rather than remove it. Our FSSAI label compliance team can map each SKU to the right exemption and check the multi-unit pack carries what the sachet leaves off.
Key takeaways
- Schedule II declarations must be prominent and not less than 3mm (1mm for small sweetener packs of up to 30cm2).
- Packages up to 100 square centimetres are exempt from a listed set of particulars, which move to the multi-unit package.
- Date of manufacture and expiry may be omitted below thirty square centimetres, with the same shift to the multi-unit package.
- Food served for immediate consumption needs minimum information at the point of sale.
- From 1 July 2027 notified logos need not be shown on packages of up to 100 square centimetres.
Read next
- Regulation 6: the principal display panel
- Regulation 9: display in food service establishments
- Schedule I: fortified and organic logos
- FSSAI labelling requirements: a complete guide
Disclaimer: Based on the FSSAI regulations named above as consolidated in FSSAI's compendium versions or as published in the Gazette, with the later notifications the article names (consulted on fssai.gov.in on 2-3 October 2026). Later notifications and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provisions referred to should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.