–
NEW DELHI: Consumers buying vegan food products will soon find it easier to identify them on store shelves. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified a standardised vegan logo that will be mandatory on all approved vegan food packages from July 1, 2027.The move is aimed at creating a uniform national identity for vegan products and helping consumers distinguish them from conventional food items containing ingredients of animal origin. Under the amended Food Safety and Standards (Vegan Foods) Regulations, every approved vegan food package will have to display a green “Vegan” logo in the format prescribed by the regulator. The logo consists of a green square-framed symbol featuring a stylised “V” with a sprouting leaf, signifying that the product is certified vegan and free from animal-derived ingredients.Under an amendment notified on May 21, 2026, FSSAI has introduced a standard vegan logo and laid down specifications for its use on packaging. The requirement will become mandatory from July 1, 2027.AIIMS Delhi dietician Monita Gahlot said the introduction of a dedicated vegan logo is important because it provides consumers with a clear, government-recognised identification mark for vegan foods and establishes a transparent framework to prevent misleading claims. “Consumers following a vegan diet often had to spend considerable time scrutinising ingredient lists to determine whether a product was truly free of animal-derived ingredients. The new logo will help them instantly identify products that comply with FSSAI’s vegan standards and make informed choices with greater confidence,” she said.Vegan foods are products that do not contain ingredients, additives or processing aids derived from animals. Unlike vegetarian foods, which may include milk, dairy products, ghee, paneer and honey, vegan foods exclude all animal-derived ingredients and rely entirely on plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and plant-based milk alternatives. “All vegan foods are vegetarian, but not all vegetarian foods are vegan,” said Dr .The category is increasingly finding acceptance among health-conscious consumers, people with ethical concerns about animal welfare and those seeking environmentally sustainable diets.The push for clearer vegan food standards comes alongside another recent FSSAI reform aimed at the plant-based food sector. In a separate notification, the regulator removed restrictions on the use of sal-seed fat, an edible vegetable fat derived from the sal tree, beyond bakery and confectionery products. The move is expected to encourage innovation in India’s growing vegan and plant-based food market.
