Purity
Ghee Certifications Explained: FSSAI, AGMARK, NABL, Organic & “A2 Certified”
On an Indian ghee label, only the FSSAI licence number is mandatory. AGMARK is a voluntary government quality grade, India Organic / Jaivik Bharat marks certified-organic products, and NABL accredits testing laboratories rather than products. There is no official “A2 certified” mark: A2 claims rest on breed and genotype testing.
Quick take
- FSSAI licence: mandatory — verify the 14-digit number.
- AGMARK: voluntary government grading.
- NABL: accredits labs, not ghee.
- “A2 certified”: no official mark exists — ask for PCR proof.
Ghee labels at a glance
| Mark / claim | Who issues it | Mandatory? | What it proves |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSSAI licence no. | Food Safety and Standards Authority of India | Yes | The business is licensed; product must meet ghee standards |
| AGMARK | Directorate of Marketing & Inspection | No | Graded against AGMARK quality specifications |
| India Organic / Jaivik Bharat | Certification bodies under NPOP / FSSAI | Only if claiming organic | Certified organic production (organic ghee) |
| “Tested at NABL lab” | NABL accredits the laboratory | No | The test report came from an accredited lab |
| “A2” | No official body | — | Only as strong as the breed and genotype proof behind it |
FSSAI: the one that is mandatory
Every packaged ghee must carry a 14-digit FSSAI licence or registration number. You can look it up on FSSAI’s FoSCoS portal (via fssai.gov.in). FSSAI also sets the legal standard for ghee: minimum milk fat, maximum moisture and purity parameters such as BR reading, RM value and the Baudouin test (glossary).
AGMARK on ghee
AGMARK is a voluntary quality grade for agricultural produce, including ghee. It adds a layer of checking but is not a statement about A2, breed or method.
NABL: the most misused word
NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accredits labs. “NABL certified ghee” is therefore inaccurate; “tested at a NABL-accredited lab” is correct — and only meaningful if you can see the report.
Is there an A2 certification?
No government body certifies ghee as A2. In August 2024 FSSAI issued an advisory asking brands to remove A1/A2 claims from milk-product labels, then withdrew it within days for wider consultation. Until rules settle, a credible A2 claim needs: named breed or buffalo, farm, and A2A2 PCR genotype testing. See how to spot fake A2 ghee and our own lab report.
Looking for A2 ghee you can verify? Ours lists the lab, the tests and the results. For the basics, read what is A2 ghee.
Frequently asked questions
Which certification is mandatory for ghee in India?
Only the FSSAI licence or registration number. AGMARK, organic marks and lab-test claims are voluntary.
Is there an A2 certification for ghee?
No. There is no official A2 certification in India; A2 claims rely on breed and genotype (PCR) testing.
What does NABL mean on ghee?
NABL accredits testing laboratories. It means the ghee was tested at an accredited lab, not that the ghee itself is certified.
How do I verify an FSSAI licence number?
Enter the 14-digit number on FSSAI's FoSCoS portal, reachable from fssai.gov.in, to see the licensed business.
Tested, published, verifiable
A2 Farmer Buffalo Bilona Ghee — A2A2 confirmed by PCR, 99.76% milk fat, hand-churned and glass-packed. From ₹799.
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