India is one of the most promising wine markets in the world, with wine being the fastest growing alcoholic beverage in the country. Wine producers all over the world are eager to explore this market. However, India also has one of the most complex import structures in the world and understanding its nuances requires some patience and assistance from an expert who knows how the market functions. One such aspect is that of wine labelling guidelines which exporters are required to follow closely.
The labelling guidelines for wine in our country are issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FASSAI)- a statutory body that is governed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Established under Food Safety and Standards, 2006, which consolidates various acts and orders that have handled food-related issues in various Ministries and Departments, FSSAI has laid down science-based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.
Here are some wine labelling requirements from FASSAI that exporters need to follow:
1️⃣ Creation of labels that meet FASSAI Guidelines: Producers must create new labels or modify existing ones at the place of origin (where wine has been manufactured) to ensure that they meet the requirements of FSSAI. The guidelines prohibit the use of strip labels and stickers, or the printing and pasting of labels in India.
2️⃣ Cultural sensitivity: Labels cannot carry blasphemous words, show nudity or objectification of women, hurt social and religious sentiments, or else they will be rejected by the government authorities.
3️⃣ Back label information: According to the guidelines, the back label should contain details like brand name, type of wine, country of origin, alcohol by volume, ingredient lists, additives, veg/non-veg symbol etc.
4️⃣ Sulfites: FASSAI guidelines say that any wine containing more than 10 mg sulfur dioxide per litre, must declare so on its label. While sulfites are present naturally in wine as a byproduct of the fermentation of sugar by yeast, they make up for a small quantity. Therefore, winemakers further add sulfites like sulfur dioxide in wine to prevent bacterial spoilage and oxidisation. The guidelines aim to monitor the quantity of the compounds being added to wine.
The next step in the process is label registration, which is a state subject in India. Each state has its laws and costs for the same and navigating these regulations on their own can seem like a daunting task to exporters, but with a seasoned wine consultant by your side, you can navigate through this challenge speedily.
SoHoWines Consulting offers customised consultancy programs that help international companies enter the Indian wine market with great confidence and gain a strong foothold. We also assist the brands in finding an experienced import partner who is well-versed with the complications of India’s liquor import structure and can help you through each step of the way to ensure that your label finds its targeted consumer base. To learn more about our consultancy program, write to us at sonal@sonalholland.com
