From 1 July 2027, India's food regulator, the FSSAI, makes its vegan logo mandatory on approved vegan food packages (FSSAI / USDA FAS, 2026). For manufacturers selling vegan products in India, that turns a voluntary mark into a compliance requirement on the pack. This post explains what the change covers and how the regulatory logo sits alongside a voluntary third-party vegan certificate.
What is changing
The FSSAI, India's food-safety regulator, operates a vegan logo tied to its own approval process for vegan food products. Reporting indicates the logo becomes mandatory on approved vegan food packages from 1 July 2027 (FSSAI / USDA FAS, 2026). The mechanics of the FSSAI approval route are covered in our guide, The FSSAI vegan logo application process.
What it means for manufacturers
- If you sell vegan-labeled food in India, the FSSAI logo moves from optional to a labeling requirement on approved products — plan artwork and approval timelines accordingly.
- A regulatory logo and a voluntary certification answer different questions: one is a compliance mark required by the regulator, the other is a buyer-facing claim verified by an independent body.
- Exporters selling into several markets should expect market-by-market divergence — the India requirement does not carry over to the US, EU or elsewhere.
For the wider Indian market picture, see Vegan certification in India. If you want an independent vegan certificate alongside the regulatory logo, that is a document-based review of your formulations and supplier declarations.
Frequently asked questions
Does a V-Cert vegan certificate replace the FSSAI logo?
No. The FSSAI logo is a regulatory requirement for approved vegan food in India. A V-Cert vegan certificate is a separate, voluntary third-party claim; one does not replace the other.
When does the FSSAI vegan logo become mandatory?
Reporting indicates it becomes mandatory on approved vegan food packages from 1 July 2027 (FSSAI / USDA FAS, 2026).