FSSAI Proposes Mandatory Standard Drink Labeling for Alcoholic Beverages

India’s alcohol regulatory framework may soon see a significant shift, with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) proposing mandatory standard drink labeling in India across all categories of alcoholic beverages. The proposal is part of a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018, and is currently open for public and industry consultation.

If notified, the amendment will change how alcohol content is communicated on packaging, aligning India more closely with international labeling practices followed in markets such as Australia, New Zealand, and several European countries.

What Is a Standard Drink?

A Global Measure of Alcohol Content

A “standard drink” is a commonly used global reference that indicates the amount of pure alcohol (ethanol) in a beverage. In many international systems, one standard drink typically equals 10 grams of pure alcohol, though definitions vary slightly by country.

Under the proposed FSSAI amendment, alcohol labels will be required to clearly declare the number of standard drinks per container or per serving. The calculation will be derived from alcohol by volume (ABV) and the declared serving size.

The requirement will apply uniformly across:

• Beer
• Wine
• Spirits
• Ready-to-drink and premixed alcoholic beverages

What Is Changing in the Regulation?

From Voluntary to Mandatory Disclosure

Under the existing regulation, declaring standard drink information on labels was optional. The draft amendment proposes a critical wording change, replacing “may” with “shall,” effectively making standard drink disclosure compulsory.

This change, while seemingly minor, has substantial regulatory implications. Once enforced, manufacturers and importers will no longer have discretion over whether to include this information, making standard drink labeling in India a compliance requirement rather than a best practice.

Rationale Behind the Proposal

Consumer Awareness and Public Health Objectives

According to FSSAI, the primary objective of mandatory standard drink labeling is to improve consumer understanding of alcohol consumption. Clear and comparable information allows consumers to:

• Track actual alcohol intake
• Compare strength across different beverage categories
• Align consumption with recommended drinking limits

Public health experts have long argued that inconsistent serving sizes and varying alcohol strengths can make it difficult for consumers to assess how much alcohol they are consuming. Standardised labeling is seen as a tool to support responsible drinking and reduce high-risk consumption patterns.

Revisions to Wine and Beverage Definitions

Greater Clarity for Classification and Compliance

Beyond labeling, the draft amendment also proposes revisions to definitions and tolerance limits for wine and wine-based beverages. These updates aim to:

• Bring Indian standards closer to international benchmarks
• Reduce ambiguity in product classification
• Improve regulatory certainty for domestic producers and importers

Clearer definitions are expected to ease compliance challenges, particularly for imported products that must currently navigate varying interpretations of Indian regulations.

Impact on Alcohol Manufacturers and Importers

Label Redesign and Data Accuracy Requirements

If implemented, mandatory standard drink labeling in India will require alcohol companies to make several operational adjustments, including:

• Revising label artwork and packaging layouts
• Accurately calculating standard drink equivalents
• Ensuring consistency between ABV, serving size, and declared values

The impact will be felt across breweries, wineries, distilleries, ready-to-drink manufacturers, and importers. While products already in the market may be granted a transition period, companies will need to prepare well in advance to avoid disruption.

Regulatory Status and Consultation Process

Draft Stage, Open for Feedback

The proposal is currently at the draft amendment stage and has been released for public and stakeholder comments. FSSAI has invited feedback from:

• Alcohol manufacturers and importers
• Industry associations
• Public health bodies
• Policy and regulatory experts

Following the consultation process, the authority will review submissions before issuing a final notification.

Global Context and Regulatory Alignment

Many international markets already mandate alcohol unit counts, calorie disclosures, and health warnings on alcoholic beverage labels. India’s move toward mandatory standard drink disclosure reflects a broader trend of increasing transparency for products linked to lifestyle-related health risks.

Regulatory experts note that such measures also support consistency in cross-border trade, particularly for multinational alcohol brands operating in multiple jurisdictions.

Consumer and Industry Perspectives

From a consumer standpoint, standard drink labeling improves clarity and comparability, making it easier to understand real alcohol intake and avoid misleading serving-size perceptions.

Industry responses so far appear mixed. While some producers have welcomed clearer rules and harmonisation with global practices, others have flagged concerns around compliance costs and label transition timelines. Nonetheless, the proposal is widely viewed as pro-consumer and aligned with public health objectives.

Compliance Risks and Enforcement

Once finalised, non-compliance with standard drink disclosure requirements could result in label rejections, regulatory penalties, or product recalls. Industry experts advise businesses to begin internal assessments early to minimise compliance risks.

Conclusion

The proposed amendment represents a meaningful step toward greater transparency and accountability in India’s alcohol sector. By making standard drink labeling in India mandatory, FSSAI is strengthening consumer information standards while aligning domestic regulations with global norms.

If implemented, the change will reshape alcohol packaging across the country, requiring brands to clearly communicate alcohol content on every bottle, can, and container. For both consumers and industry stakeholders, the regulation signals a shift toward more informed, responsible alcohol consumption.