4 min readNew DelhiJun 23, 2026 11:00 PM IST Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) shared a post urging consumers to read food labels before purchasing packaged products. “Packaging catches your eye, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Before you trust what’s inside, take a moment to flip the pack and read what’s printed on the label. A few seconds of checking can make all the difference to your health and safety,” the regulator noted. FSSAI also highlighted a simple five-step approach to understanding food labels, encouraging consumers to check ingredients, nutritional information, expiry dates, allergen declarations, and the FSSAI licence or registration number before making a purchase. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.  But what exactly should shoppers pay attention to when they turn a packet around? According to Dt Shalini Bliss, Head of Dietetics at PSRI Hospital, understanding a few key sections of the label can help consumers make healthier and safer food choices. Three things to check …