How to read a pickle label line by line: ingredients, additives, FSSAI number, packing and best-before dates, net weight and storage notes.
In this guide
- Quick answer
- Why the label matters more than the front of the jar
- The ingredient list, line by line
- Additives and INS numbers
- The FSSAI logo and number
- Who made, packed or marketed it
- Dates and batch number
- Net quantity, MRP and nutrition information
- Symbols and storage instructions
- Reading claims on the front
- A 30-second label check
- What our labels show
- Jars to consider
- FAQs
Quick answer
To read a pickle label, start with the ingredients, which are listed in descending order of weight, and look for the oil, sweetener and any additives. Then check the FSSAI number and business name, the packing and best-before dates, the batch number, net weight and storage instructions. Together they tell you what the pickle is, who made it and how to keep it.
Why the label matters more than the front of the jar
The front of a pickle jar is designed to attract you: a brand name, a picture of mango and words like 'traditional' or 'homestyle'. The label on the back or side is where the facts are. It is also the one part of the packaging that has to follow food labelling rules.
Learning how to read a pickle label takes a minute, and it helps whether you are standing in a shop, zooming into a product photo online or checking a jar you received as a gift.
When buying online, look for a clear photo of the back label or a written ingredient list on the product page. If neither is available, message the seller and ask for it before ordering. A brand that is comfortable sharing its label is usually comfortable with what is in the jar, and you will know exactly what you are getting before it reaches your kitchen.
The ingredient list, line by line
Ingredients are listed in descending order of weight. In a mango pickle, raw mango is usually first. Next you might see oil, salt, red chilli powder, mustard, fenugreek, turmeric and asafoetida. In sweet pickles, sugar or jaggery will appear high on the list, sometimes even before the mango.
Use the order to understand the style. A Chana Keri Methi Achar should show chickpeas and fenugreek; a Meethi Keri should show a sweetener near the top. If the order does not match what the name promises, that is worth a question.
Additives and INS numbers
Additives are usually listed by their function followed by a name or an INS number, for example 'preservative (INS 211)', which is sodium benzoate, or 'acidity regulator (INS 260)', which is acetic acid. Colours may appear the same way.
Additives are permitted within rules and are not automatically a problem, but they tell you the pickle relies on more than salt, oil and spice to keep. Traditional oil-cured achar generally has a short, familiar ingredient list.
The FSSAI logo and number
The FSSAI logo with a licence or registration number identifies the food business responsible for the product. You can look the number up on FSSAI's official FoSCoS portal and check that the business name matches the one printed on the label.
Remember that the number tells you who stands behind the jar, not how good the pickle tastes. For a detailed walk-through, see our guide to FSSAI licences for pickles.
Who made, packed or marketed it
Labels name the manufacturer, packer or marketer, with an address. Sometimes more than one business is named, for example when one makes the pickle and another sells it under a brand name. A brand can also belong to a parent company, so the business name may differ from the brand on the front.
There should also be customer care details such as a phone number or email address, which you can use if you have a question about the product.
Dates and batch number
- Date of manufacture or packing — when the batch was made or packed.
- Best before — the period or date up to which the pickle keeps its best quality when stored as directed.
- Use by — a stricter date, seen on some foods; do not eat the product after it.
- Batch or lot number — links the jar to a specific production run, useful if you ever need to contact the brand.
Net quantity, MRP and nutrition information
Net quantity tells you the weight of pickle in the jar, which is the fair way to compare sizes across brands. The maximum retail price is printed as well, inclusive of taxes.
Many labels also carry a nutrition information panel, usually per 100 g, showing energy, fat, carbohydrate, sugar, protein and sodium. If anyone in your family watches salt, sugar or fat, this panel and the ingredient list are where to look. Pickle is meant to be eaten in small portions as part of a balanced meal.
Symbols and storage instructions
- Green dot in a square — the vegetarian symbol.
- Storage instructions — for example, keep in a cool, dry place and use a dry spoon; follow these over general advice.
- After opening — some labels say whether to refrigerate once opened.
- Allergen information — some labels highlight ingredients such as mustard; read it if anyone in your family has an allergy.
Reading claims on the front
Phrases such as 'homestyle', 'traditional', 'no preservatives' or 'no artificial colour' are claims the brand chooses to make. Check each one against the ingredient list on the back. If a jar says 'no preservatives', there should be no preservative listed; if it says 'no synthetic colour', there should be no synthetic colour named or numbered.
Be cautious of health claims on a condiment. A good label describes the food plainly.
A 30-second label check
- Read the first three ingredients.
- Scan for additives, colours and their INS numbers.
- Find the FSSAI number and the business name.
- Check the packing date and best-before date.
- Note the net weight and storage instructions.
What our labels show
The Pickle Affair is a brand of Arham Foods, and our pickles are packed in Maharashtra under FSSAI licence 21521053000490. They follow traditional Kathiawadi recipes, are made in small batches and contain no synthetic colours, so you can read any of our labels, from Homemade Mango Pickle to Meethi Keri, with this guide in hand.
Pairing sweet and spicy on one table
Gujarati meals balance sweet, sour, salty, and hot on the same plate, and pickles follow the same rule. When you serve two jars, choose one from each side: a sweet jar such as Chhundo, Meethi Keri, or Gor Keri, and a sharper jar such as Katka Keri, Gunda Keri, or Chana Keri Methi.
That pairing covers guests who prefer mild food and those who want heat, and it is also the easiest way to gift pickles to a family whose taste you do not know well.
Shop related collections
These collection hubs match this guide’s intent — use them to compare jars before you buy:
Jars to consider from this guide
Homemade Mango Pickle | Aam ka Achar
Handmade Kathiawadi pickle — ships across India.
View Homemade Mango Pickle | Aam ka Achar →
Chana Keri Methi Achar | Methia Keri
Handmade Kathiawadi pickle — ships across India.
View Chana Keri Methi Achar | Methia Keri →
Meethi Keri | Sweet Mango Achar
Handmade Kathiawadi pickle — ships across India.
View Meethi Keri | Sweet Mango Achar →Frequently asked questions
What should I check first on a pickle label?
The ingredient list, because it is in descending order of weight and shows the main ingredients, oil, sweetener and any additives.
What does INS mean on a pickle label?
It is an international numbering system for food additives, such as INS 211 for sodium benzoate, a preservative.
Where is the FSSAI number on a pickle jar?
Usually beside the FSSAI logo, near the manufacturer or packer details. You can verify it on the official FoSCoS portal.
Is best before the same as use by?
No. Best before relates to quality when stored as directed; use by is a stricter date after which the food should not be eaten.
Why is the business name different from the brand name?
A brand may belong to a parent company, or one business may make the pickle while another markets it.
What does the batch number on a pickle jar mean?
It identifies the production run the jar came from, which helps the brand trace any question about it.
Does The Pickle Affair use synthetic colours?
No. Colour comes from the spices, turmeric, chilli, and mango themselves.
Who makes The Pickle Affair pickles?
The Pickle Affair is a brand of Arham Foods, packed in Maharashtra under FSSAI licence 21521053000490.
Conclusion
Knowing how to read a pickle label means checking the ingredients, the additives, the FSSAI number, the dates and the storage notes. A minute with the label tells you far more than the front of the jar ever will.
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