How to Verify an Indian Supplement: FSSAI Licence, CoA and Third-Party Testing
A 7-step checklist to verify any supplement sold in India: check the FSSAI licence, read the label, ask for a batch CoA, and spot fake or risky products.
By LockIn Research Desk · · 3 min read
TL;DR: Seven checks take about five minutes: look up the FSSAI licence number, confirm the manufacturer and brand, read the label for real doses, match the batch number, ask for a batch CoA, check claims for red flags, and confirm the seller. If any step fails, don't buy.
The 7-step check
1. Find the FSSAI licence number
Every compliant food and supplement label carries a 14-digit FSSAI number near the logo. No number, or a number that looks copied, is a stop sign.
2. Look it up
FSSAI's FoSCoS portal lets you search licence details. Confirm that the business name and address are consistent with the brand and the manufacturer on the pack, and that the licence is active. A licence for "biscuits" isn't proof the company can make capsules.
3. Read the label like an auditor
- Amounts of each active ingredient per serving, in mg or mcg.
- The category: nutraceutical or health supplement (see the difference).
- Batch number, manufacturing and expiry dates.
- Name and address of the manufacturer and the marketer.
- Servings per pack and the recommended daily use.
If it only shows a total "blend" weight, you can't tell whether the active ingredients are in useful amounts. See why labels hide doses.
4. Match the batch number
Compare the batch on your pack with any CoA the brand shares. Different batch, different evidence.
5. Ask for the batch CoA
A transparent brand shares CoAs on the product page or by email. Learn how to read one in our CoA guide.
6. Check the claims
Compliant brands avoid disease claims and miracle language. Red flags: "cures", "boosts IQ by X%", "doctor recommended" without names, "100% natural, no side effects", before-and-after photos.
7. Check the seller
On marketplaces, confirm the listing is from the brand or an authorised seller. Look for mismatched images, unusually low prices, and expiry dates that are very close.
Quick red-flag table
| Red flag | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| No FSSAI number or an unverifiable one | Not demonstrably licensed |
| No per-ingredient doses | Can't be evaluated or compared |
| Dozens of ingredients in tiny amounts | Likely "label dressing" |
| "Third-party tested" with no report | Marketing without proof |
| Disease or IQ claims | Non-compliant claims |
| No batch number | Not traceable |
What a licence does and doesn't prove
An FSSAI licence shows a business is registered to operate in that food category. It does not prove that the product works, that doses are optimal, or that a specific batch is clean. That's why CoAs and honest labels matter on top of a licence.
FAQ
How do I check an FSSAI licence number? Use the licence lookup on the FSSAI FoSCoS portal and match the business name and address.
Are Amazon supplements verified? Marketplaces don't verify quality for you. Do the checks above.
What does third-party tested mean? An independent lab tested the product. Ask for the report and check the batch.
Where do I report a bad product? You can file complaints with FSSAI or the National Consumer Helpline.
Want the numbers behind every ingredient, published, before you buy? LockIn is a science-first nutraceutical, launching soon. Join the waitlist. The first 200 pilot spots get early pricing.
This article is general information, not medical advice. It does not diagnose, treat or prevent any disease. Talk to a doctor before using supplements if you are pregnant, have a medical condition or take medicines. LockIn is pre-launch and not yet on sale.
LockIn is a nutraceutical, not a medicine. Nothing here is medical advice or intended to treat, cure or diagnose any condition.