Imported edible oil must meet the food labelling law of the country where it is sold, not Indian rules. In practice that means a correct product name, ingredients, allergens, net quantity, date marking, storage advice, nutrition information, origin and the name and address of the responsible business.
This article outlines the main points. Always check the current text with your national food authority or a labelling specialist before printing.
European Union
The core law is Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information to consumers. It sets the mandatory particulars and how they must be shown.
- Name of the food: for a single oil, the specific plant source, such as groundnut oil or sesame oil.
- Ingredients: in a blend, refined vegetable oils may be grouped as vegetable oils only if the specific plant origins are also listed.
- Allergens: peanuts and sesame are listed allergens and must be emphasised in the ingredients list.
- Nutrition declaration, net quantity, best-before date, storage conditions and country of origin where required.
- The name and address of the food business operator responsible in the EU.
- Language: in the official language or languages of the member state where it is sold.
United Kingdom and United States
Great Britain kept a version of the EU rules after Brexit, with its own changes. Prepacked food sold in Great Britain generally needs a UK address for the responsible business. Check current guidance from the Food Standards Agency.
In the US, the FDA sets food labelling rules. Labels need a statement of identity, net quantity, ingredients, the Nutrition Facts panel, allergen declaration and the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer or distributor. Peanuts and sesame are major food allergens in the US. Highly refined oils are treated differently under US allergen law, so confirm how this applies to your product. Country of origin marking is also required.
Claims need care
- Cold-pressed, wood-pressed or kachi ghani: make sure the process supports the claim, and keep evidence. See what kachi ghani oil is.
- Nutrition and health claims such as cholesterol free or heart healthy: tightly controlled in the EU under the nutrition and health claims rules, and in the US by the FDA.
- Organic: needs certification recognised in your market, not only an Indian certificate. See NPOP certification in the EU and US.
- Pure or 100 percent: only if the oil is unblended, which you should verify by testing.
Gulf and other markets
Gulf countries generally require Arabic labelling and follow GSO standards, often with registration of the product. Other markets have their own systems. Your importer or a local consultant should confirm the rules before you approve artwork. A related guide for spices is labelling rules for spice blends in the UK, EU and US.
How we help
We do not give legal labelling advice, but we make sure the mill prints exactly the artwork you approved, checks lot and date coding on the line, and that the oil inside matches the label claims by testing. Ask for a free sourcing review.