How to read a herbal supplement label in India
FSSAI licence, “Health Supplement”, botanical names, part used, quantity per capsule: a quick guide to what a herbal supplement label should tell you.
Written by
Girivana Editorial Team
Herbal health supplements sold in India are regulated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Their labels must carry specific information. Knowing what to look for helps you compare products with confidence.
“Health Supplement” and “Not for medicinal use”
A health supplement must say so on the label, together with the words “Not for medicinal use”. Supplements support a balanced diet; they are not medicines.
The FSSAI logo and licence number
Look for the FSSAI logo and a 14-digit licence number. If the brand owner and the manufacturer are different companies, both are named, usually as “Marketed by” and “Manufactured by”.
The botanical name and part used
Common names vary from region to region. The botanical (Latin) name, such as Withania somnifera for ashwagandha, identifies the exact plant, and the label should state the part used: root, leaf, seed or bark.
Quantity per serving
Look for the amount of each ingredient per capsule or per serving, in mg. “Proprietary blend” without quantities tells you much less.
Recommended usage
The label gives a recommended daily usage and the warning “Not to exceed the recommended daily usage”, plus any advice for children, pregnant or nursing women.
Veg symbol, dates and MRP
A green dot in a square marks a vegetarian product. Check the date of manufacture, best-before or expiry date, MRP (inclusive of all taxes), net quantity and a customer-care contact.
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Girivana Editorial Team
Quality & product education
The team that sources, tests and documents every Girivana product, and explains what goes into each jar.
