FSSAI Licensing for Energy Drinks: What Applies and What Does Not
Half the confusion around energy drink licensing comes from the category name. What you call your product on the application decides which schedule applies, which claims you may make, and how long approval takes.
01Caffeinated beverage, not energy drink
Indian regulation recognises 'caffeinated beverage' as a standardised category. 'Energy drink' is marketing language, and filing under it invites questions you do not need.
Getting the category right at the first filing is the single biggest lever on approval time.
02Central or state, and why it matters
A central licence is required once you are manufacturing above the state threshold or selling across state lines. Most brands that intend to distribute nationally should start central rather than upgrade later.
Upgrading mid-launch means re-labelling stock that is already printed.
03What the label must carry
Beyond the standard nutritional panel, a caffeinated beverage carries the caffeine content per serving, the advisory statement, and — if you use them — declarations for added vitamins and amino acids.
- Caffeine content, stated in mg per 100ml AND per serving
- The advisory statement, in the prescribed wording
- Vitamin declarations as % RDA where a claim is made
- A clear net quantity and batch code that survives condensation
04Claims you cannot make
Anything implying treatment, prevention or cure is out. So is any comparison that implies a health benefit you have not substantiated to the standard the rules require.
'Improves focus' is a claim. 'Contains caffeine' is a fact. The difference is whether you need a dossier.