Legal Metrology in the Food Industry
Legal Metrology in the food industry plays a crucial role in maintaining fair trade practices, ensuring accurate measurements, and fostering consumer trust. In the food sector, every packaged product, whether it is flour, oil, spices, or ready-to-eat meals, must display correct weights, measures, and declarations under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, and Packaged Commodities Rules, 2011 Accurate labeling and compliance ensure that: When Legal Metrology in the food industry is ignored, it can lead to misleading packaging, fines, product recalls, or even market bans. Why is Legal Metrology Important in the Food Industry? Ensures the quantity shown on the packet matches the actual content. Stops sellers from showing fake weights, measures, or incorrect MRP. All businesses follow the same measurement standards. Mandatory under Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011. Which Food Products Require Legal Metrology Compliance? S.No Category Examples 1. Grains & Pulses Rice, wheat, lentils 2. Oils & Dairy Products Edible oils, butter, milk powders 3. Beverages Packaged juices, soft drinks, and bottled water 4. Processed & Packaged Foods Chips, biscuits, chocolates, instant foods 5. Spices & Condiments Salt, masalas, pickles 6. Frozen Foods Ready-to-eat meals, ice creams What Are the Key Legal Metrology Requirements for the Food Industry? The food industry must follow the rules below for all pre-packaged commodities: S.No. Requirement Details 1. LMPC Registration Importers/Packers must register under Legal Metrology 2. Accurate Weight & Measure Net weight/volume must match actual content 3. MRP Declaration The Maximum Retail Price must be displayed clearly 4. Manufacturer & Packer Details Name, address, and contact info required 5. Packaging Date & Expiry Must show manufacturing, expiry, and batch details 6. Country of Origin Mandatory for imported food products 7. Font Size & Visibility Labels must be clear and readable What Are the Consequences of Non-Compliance in the Food Industry? S.No. Violation Penalty/Impact 1. Incorrect weight or measure Fine up to ₹25,000 for the first offense 2. False labeling or missing declarations Product seizure and repeated penalties 3. No LMPC Registration Heavy fines and legal notices 4. Repeated violations Possible imprisonment and business impact How Does Legal Metrology Ensure Fair Practices in the Food Industry? What Steps Should Food Businesses Take for Legal Metrology Compliance? How Can ELT Corporate Help with Legal Metrology in the Food Industry? ELT Corporate is your trusted partner in Legal Metrology in the food industry. We provide end-to-end compliance support to help businesses avoid penalties and ensure smooth operations. Our Services Include:









