The Differences Between Food Labels in India Versus the United States

Cultural diversity makes it necessary to consider what information should be communicated with nutritional labels and to standardize how that information is conveyed to varying demographics.

The designated purpose of food labels is to outline the nutritional values of consumable food products. The ultimate goal of these labels is to help people make the best possible decisions when they are shopping and to meet their nutritional needs.

Furthermore, cultural diversity makes it necessary to not only consider what information should be communicated but also to standardize how that information is conveyed to varying demographics. Variances that must be considered between cultures include language, word choice, the format used to present information, and nutritional goals. Standardized information and formats used to communicate to specific cultural markets may differ drastically from one to another.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India mandates the requirements for food packaging and labeling through what is known as The Food Safety and Standards Regulations. These regulations must be adhered to in order for producers and manufacturers to be in accord with the food laws of India. These laws demand that every marketable food item has to be labeled—and that the label must provide certain information.

The information that is required on Indian food labels includes the name of the food, its ingredients, additives present in the food, nutritional information, whether the food is vegetarian friendly, the name and address of the producer, quantities, batch number, the date of production, a date that the product should be used by, instructions for use, and the origins of the product (if the product is imported from a foreign locale). It is also required that information is presented clearly in either English or Hindi languages.

In contrast to India, the United States oversees the food markets and industries under its jurisdiction through a federal organization known as The Food and Drug Administration. The Food and Drug Administration directs specifications for where labels can and should be placed, what content labels can and/or must display, and specified nutritional information.

Food packaging subject to the laws of the United States has more specific laws—probably to ensure that definitions can be understood without mistake because the English language has a great number of regional dialects. It is more likely to find a listing of things that packages may not do in addition to the outline of what they can or must do.

However, under United States law, it is not necessary to list whether every product is vegetarian-friendly. The cultural and spiritual diversity of India requires packagers to designate whether a product is vegetarian-friendly so that consumers do not accidentally violate their spiritual or cultural beliefs. The United States does not officially have any designated spiritual affiliations that are dominant and considered widespread.

Lastly, the Food Safety and Standards Regulations does not permit labels that can become detached from their products, incorrect information, and illegible printing.