Authorities have finalized the Food (Labelling and Advertising) Regulations 2026, establishing updated requirements for the labelling, presentation, and advertising of packaged foods. The regulation introduces detailed provisions governing mandatory label information and clarifies how Quick Response (QR) codes and other machine-readable codes may be used on food packaging.
Under the regulation, no food contained in a package or container may be manufactured, imported, transported, distributed, stored, sold, or advertised unless it complies with the prescribed labelling requirements. Labels must be securely affixed or printed on the package in a manner that is clear, legible, and indelible so that consumers can easily access the required product information.
QR Codes Allowed Only for Supplementary Information. One of the notable features of the new framework is the formal recognition of QR codes and other machine-readable digital codes on food labels. The regulation permits these codes to be placed on packages to provide additional information to consumers, such as expanded product details or digital resources.
However, the regulation clearly states that QR codes cannot be used as a substitute for mandatory label information. All required declarations must still appear directly on the physical label of the product. In addition, QR codes must not obscure or interfere with required label information and the information accessed through such codes must not contradict or mislead consumers about the product.
The regulation also addresses situations where manufacturers encode key information—such as manufacturing or expiry dates—within coded formats (for example batch codes or digital codes). In such cases, importers must provide a supplementary label explaining the coded information in a clear and readable format, and they must maintain records explaining the coding system for inspection by authorities.
Mandatory Information on Food Labels
The regulation outlines several declarations that must appear on packaged food labels. These include:
The common name of the food
The brand or trade name
The net contents expressed in SI units
A complete list of ingredients in descending order by weight
Identification of food additives by name and INS number
Manufacturer, packer, or distributor details
Country of origin for imported foods
Batch or lot identification
Date of manufacture and expiry
These requirements aim to ensure consistent product identification and improved consumer transparency.
Food Categories Referenced in the Regulation
The regulation includes references to various food categories, particularly in schedules that provide examples of common names used in labelling. These include categories such as:
Biscuits (including crackers, wafers, cookies, and digestive biscuits)
Meat products (such as salami, frankfurters, meat loaf, and pâté)
Fish preparations such as Ambulthiyal
Carbonated beverages
Confectionery products
In addition, certain provisions address foods that make nutrition or health claims, as well as foods specially formulated for infants, young children, pregnant women, and foods intended for special dietary uses or medical purposes.
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