FSSAI number on food packets explained: What each of the 14 digits means

The 14-digit FSSAI number on food packaging serves as a unique identifier issued by the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The breakdown of these digits is as follows:

1. The first digit indicates the type of approval – 1 signifies a license, while 2 denotes a registration.

2. The second and third digits represent the state or union territory code.

3. The fourth and fifth digits correspond to the year of issuance.

4. The following three digits are the authority code.

5. The final six digits are the unique licensee ID assigned to the food business operator.

Edwina Raj, a Head of Services specializing in Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics at Aster CMI Hospital, emphasizes that the FSSAI number provides crucial information about the food business responsible for the product. In addition to checking the FSSAI number, Raj recommends looking at ingredients, nutrition information, expiry or use-by dates, and storage instructions.

It's important to remember that an FSSAI number does not guarantee a product's healthiness, and consuming contaminated food can lead to food poisoning, stomach infections, or other health issues, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

To verify an FSSAI number, consult the official FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System) portal at foscos.fssai.gov.in. The process involves entering the 14-digit number into the portal to confirm its validity and obtain details about the food business operator, license type, validity dates, and registered products.