The Indian dairy industry which is the foundation of our nutrition and economy is governed by rigorous quality checks to guarantee the safety of the consumers. Following FSSAI guidelines for packaging milk and milk products is more than a legal requirement; it is essential for protecting the purity and safety of the dairy products from the farm to your fridge.

For any dairy firm, the knowledge and compliance with FSSAI regulations for packaging of milk and milk products is a basic necessity. These guidelines protect the products such as milk, ghee, and paneer from contamination and spoilage. As dairy is perishable by nature, packaging plays a significant role as the initial barrier and hence, Food Business Operators (FBOs) should give the utmost importance to packaging.

Importance of Safe Packaging in Dairy Industry

Proper packaging keeps milk products fresh longer and extends their shelf life. It provides an impervious barrier to physical and microbial contamination and environmental influences which is essential for safe packaging for dairy products.

Understanding its importance, an FSSAI order dated April 3, 2025, has categorized use of food-grade packaging material as a ‘critical to food safety’ parameter during inspections. Effective packaging also transmits critical consumer information such as nutrition, ingredients and allergens warnings to help earn trust and brand loyalty. Hence, it is important to adhere to FSSAI guidelines for packaging milk and milk products.

FSSAI Regulations on Packaging of Milk and Dairy Products

$C:\Users\lenovo\Desktop\24-10-2025\FSSAI Guidelines for Packaging Milk and Milk Products (1).jpg$

The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, serve as the legal framework for packaging in the dairy sector in India. These FSSAI milk packaging regulations lay down general and specific stipulations for the FBOs for milk packaging.

Mandates under FSSAI guidelines for packaging milk and milk products include:

Food Grade Quality: All the materials that allowed to be used in packaging of milk and milk products must be made of food grade material and be safe from contamination.
Hygienic and Tamper-Proof: The products should be packaged in clean, hygienic and non-tamper proof containers to protect safety and integrity.
Mechanical and Automatic Processes: For the heat-treated milk, the bottling or filling must be conducted mechanically and the sealing must be performed automatically.
Printing Ink Standards: The printing inks used on packages should be in conformity to IS: 15495 and the printed surface should not be in direct contact with the food.
Prohibition on Re-use: Tin containers, some plastic packaging and some other types of packaging cannot be reused for food packaging but with exceptions for durable containers that can be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Certificate of Conformity: One of the most important requirements every FBO has to obtain a certificate of conformity for their packaging material from a NABL accredited lab stating that it complies with the regulations.

Approved Packaging Materials for Milk

The FSSAI guidelines for packaging milk and milk products provide a suggestive list of materials permissible for dairy items. Material selection is closely related to type of product, storage conditions and transport logistics. Safe packaging for dairy products is ensured by using approved and tested material.

Typically, approved materials include:

Glass Bottles: Often used for milk and flavored milk, they are non-reactive and easily recyclable.
Rigid Plastic Containers: Containers made of PET, HDPE, Polypropylene (PP), or Polystyrene (PS) are commonly used for packaging curd, yogurt, and ghee.
Flexible Plastic Pouches: It is a popular choice for liquid milk due to its low cost and easy availability. It is generally made of Polyethylene (PE) or co-extruded multi-layered films.
Aseptic Packaging (Cartons): A specialized Multi-layered carton made of paperboard, aluminum foil, and polyethylene are used for UHT milk, giving it a long shelf life for preservation without refrigeration.
Tin Plate Containers: Conventionally used for ghee and milk powder.
Wax Coated Paper: Used mainly for wrapping butter.

Packaging Standards for Different Milk Products

Different types of dairy products have different characteristics and need tailored packaging solutions to maintain their quality. The FSSAI guidelines for packaging milk and milk products recognize this diversity:

Liquid Milk: Apart from the widely used flexible pouches, milk is also packed in glass bottles, plastic bottles and aseptic cartons for long shelf life for milk variants.
Butter: This is usually packaged in vegetable parchment or aluminum foil laminate which shields butter from light and air and keeps it from going stale.
Ghee: Available in tin cans, glass jars and plastic (HDPE/PET) jars that retains the flavor of the pure ghee and safeguards it from the oxidization.
Paneer: Frequently vacuum packed in multi layered plastic films or packed in thermoform trays to keep it fresh for longer shelf life.
Curd and Yogurt: Commonly come in plastic cups (PP or PS) with peel-off lids, and traditionally comes, in mud or tray pots.

Labeling and Nutritional Information Requirements under FSSAI

Proper labeling is an essential part of FSSAI guidelines for packaging of milk and milk products as its acts as a single point of contact between the manufacturer and consumer.

Some of the important labeling requirements include:

Product Name and Category
Ingredients list
Nutrition Information Panel
Allergens Declaration
Best Before/Use by Date
FSSAI License Number

A major recent change that all dairy FBOs should consider is the FSSAI's order to the FBOs to remove any claims on A1 and A2 milk on their packaging and websites. Also, for milk, the label must declare its class (Toned or Full Cream) and heat treatment (Pasteurized or Sterilized).

Common Mistakes Dairy Businesses Make in Packaging

Understanding the FSSAI guidelines for packaging milk and milk products can be a little difficult and sometimes business owners end up making mistakes that may lead to noncompliance.

Using Non-Food Grade Material: This is a very serious violation and can have direct implications on food safety.
No Certificate of Conformity: Not having your packaging material tested and certified by a NABL recognized laboratory is a major non-compliance issue.
Improper Sealing: Improper sealing may cause the product to leak, be contaminated and spoilage.
Outdated and Misleading Labels: To continue to use banned claims for example “A2 Milk” after the FSSAI directive is a direct breach.
Ignoring Migration Limits: Failing to verify that plastic packaging complies with overall and specific migration limits may result in the leaching of toxic substances into foods.

Avoid these packaging pitfalls to ensure safe packaging for dairy products.

Penalties for Non-Compliance with FSSAI Packaging Rules

Not abiding by FSSAI milk packaging regulations can result in severe consequences for any business. FSSAI treats food-grade packaging as a 'critical' safety point and its inspectors regard non-compliance as a high-priority violation. Failure to comply can attract punishments under the FSS Act, 2006 which may involve heavy fines, recall of products and even suspension or cancellation of FSSAI license in case of grave violations. Following FSSAI guidelines for packaging milk and milk products is a must to avoid such legal and financial consequences.

How Lawfinity Helps Dairy Businesses Stay FSSAI-Compliant

At Lawfinity, we understand the difficulty that you have to face in the ever-changing dynamic FSSAI guidelines for packaging milk and milk products. Our team of legal professionals have expertise in food safety laws and can provide comprehensive assistance in your dairy business. Whether it's understanding the FSSAI milk packaging regulations applicable to your products, or assisting you in the process of obtaining FSSAI license, we ensure that you are fully compliant with the rules. We guide you through the documentation, labeling requirements, and testing protocols so you can devote your time to running your business while we handle the legal complexities.