Introduction
India’s packaged food and dairy sector is rapidly growing with innovations in ready-to-eat meals, protein-based products, frozen foods, vegan alternatives, and D2C food startups. With increasing consumer demand and regulatory focus, branding and protecting your packaged or processed food products is essential. That’s where Trademark Class 29 becomes your legal safeguard.
If you’re involved in meat, fish, eggs, milk, oils, butter, margarine, snacks, dried fruits, jams, frozen meals, or pickles, this is your guide. Class 29 allows food product businesses to legally protect their brand names, labels, product series, and packaging.
This article covers:
- What falls under Class 29
- Real examples and product list
- What’s excluded
- Filing process and documents
- International protection under Madrid Protocol
- Expert strategies and FAQs
Legal Framework in India
India follows the Nice Classification (11th edition) under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
Trademark Class 29 includes:
“Meat, fish, poultry and game; meat extracts; preserved, frozen, dried and cooked fruits and vegetables; jellies, jams, compotes; eggs, milk and milk products; edible oils and fats.”
This class covers preserved or processed food items, not raw or unprocessed ingredients.
Scope of Trademark Class 29
Class 29 includes animal and vegetarian food products that are prepared, preserved, processed, or packaged, including:
✅ Animal-Based Products
- Meat and poultry
- Fish and seafood
- Eggs and egg products
- Processed meat products (sausages, ham, salami)
- Frozen meat or seafood
- Meat extracts, bouillon cubes
✅ Dairy Products
- Milk (liquid, powdered)
- Ghee, butter, cream, paneer
- Curd, yogurt, flavored yogurt
- Cheese (soft, hard, processed)
- Milk-based drinks and shakes
- Dairy desserts (except ice cream)
✅ Preserved & Packaged Veg Foods
- Dried fruits (raisins, figs, apricots)
- Roasted or salted nuts
- Cooked or canned vegetables
- Frozen veggies or mix
- Pickles, chutneys, preserves
- Fruit jams, marmalades, jellies
- Vegetable-based ready meals
✅ Oils & Fats
- Edible oils (mustard, sunflower, coconut, olive)
- Blended oils
- Vegetable ghee, hydrogenated fat
- Margarine, shortening
Examples of Products Under Class 29
- Amul butter and milk
- Fortune refined sunflower oil
- Mother Dairy paneer
- HaldiRam’s mixed pickle
- Patanjali ghee
- Nutraj almonds and raisins
- Real fruit jam (strawberry/mango)
- Applaws canned tuna fish
- Sumeru frozen parathas and cutlets
- McCain’s frozen aloo tikki
- Go Cheese cubes and slices
- Verka dahi and lassi
- Everest meat masala with real meat extract
- RRO dairy creamer
- Organic India cow ghee
What Class 29 Does NOT Cover
| Item | Correct Class |
|---|---|
| Raw fruits and vegetables (unprocessed) | Class 31 |
| Spices, cereals, rice, atta, flour | Class 30 |
| Beverages (non-alcoholic or juices) | Class 32 |
| Meat cutting machines | Class 7 |
| Nutritional supplements, protein powders | Class 5 |
| Ice creams, frozen desserts (non-dairy) | Class 30 |
| Catering or food delivery services | Class 43 |
| Grocery retail stores | Class 35 |
| Animal food, pet food | Class 31 |
Key Rule: Class 29 covers prepared or preserved food products, especially animal/dairy-based or frozen/canned/processed vegetarian items.
Real-World Trademark Examples (India – Class 29)
| Brand Name | Trademarked Products |
|---|---|
| AMUL | Butter, milk, cheese, cream, ghee |
| PATANJALI | Ghee, milk, oil, pickles |
| MOTHER DAIRY | Paneer, dahi, flavored milk |
| HALDIRAM’S | Pickles, canned ready meals, bhaji packs |
| FORTUNE | Mustard oil, sunflower oil |
| GOPAL SNACKS | Fried packaged snacks, peanuts, pickles |
| KISSAN | Fruit jams, preserves |
| GOWARDHAN | Dairy products, ghee, paneer |
| VERKA | Milk, curd, yogurt drinks |
| FARMLEY | Almonds, raisins, cashews |
Why Trademark Class 29 Is Critical
- Exclusive brand rights for processed food products
- Legal action against fake/duplicate packaging
- Compliance with eCommerce platforms (Amazon/FBO)
- Protects private label or OEM food packaging
- Builds consumer trust in taste, hygiene, and authenticity
- Necessary for retail chain or export expansion
- Enables brand licensing and sub-brand registration
- Boosts FSSAI and MSME credibility
Trademark Registration Process – Class 29 (India)
✅ Step-by-Step Filing Process:
- Conduct a Trademark Search: Use IP India Public Search to check availability.
- Prepare TM-A Application: Describe products accurately.
- File via IP India Portal or Attorney: With or without logo.
- Registrar Examination: Conflict or descriptiveness checks.
- Publication: Open for opposition (4 months).
- Registration: Valid for 10 years, renewable.
✅ Required Documents:
- PAN/Aadhaar of applicant
- Brand logo (optional)
- TM-48 form (if via agent)
- MSME/Udyam certificate (for rebate)
- Product label/image (optional)
International Protection – Madrid Protocol (Class 29)
If exporting food products like ghee, dried fruits, or canned foods, protect your brand internationally under Madrid Protocol:
| Jurisdiction | Trademark Class |
|---|---|
| India | Class 29 |
| USA | Class 029 |
| EU | Class 29 |
| UK | Class 29 |
| WIPO (Madrid) | Class 29 |
Common Mistakes in Class 29 Filing
- Filing raw vegetables or grains – use Class 31
- Being vague – avoid “food products”, be specific
- Including fruit juices – use Class 32
- Missing sub-brand protection
- Using Class 29 for food delivery – use Class 43
Top Tips for Class 29 Trademark Applicants
- Use complete terms like “ghee, paneer, yogurt”
- Add product form: “roasted almonds”, “frozen peas”
- File separate applications for brand + series
- Use Madrid Protocol if exporting
- Trademark your logo if it’s visually unique
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q1: Is ghee included in Class 29? ✅ Yes
- Q2: What about milk and milk powder? ✅ Yes
- Q3: Are fruit jams and preserves covered? ✅ Yes
- Q4: Is cooking oil part of this class? ✅ Yes
- Q5: Are fresh fruits and vegetables included? ❌ No
- Q6: Frozen vegetarian food? ✅ Yes
- Q7: Snack items like namkeen or dry fruits? ✅ Yes
- Q8: Same brand for spices and oils? ✅ File under both 29 & 30
- Q9: Are egg products included? ✅ Yes
- Q10: Dairy desserts like shrikhand? ✅ Yes
Conclusion
Trademark Class 29 is the essential legal category for brands selling preserved foods, dairy, edible oils, pickles, jams, dried fruits, and protein-rich packaged items. Whether you’re a dairy co-op, cold storage brand, oil exporter, or a startup delivering frozen Indian meals – protect your identity under this class.
At RegistrationMART, we:
- Identify your correct product classification
- Draft and file accurate trademark descriptions
- Handle objections and oppositions
- Help register sub-brands and logos
- File Madrid Protocol applications
- Support FSSAI + IP compliance for food brands
🔐 Get Expert Help Today
📞 Call Us: +91-7201000259
🌐 Visit: www.registrationmart.in
📧 Email: support@registrationmart.in
