When you pick up a packet of atta, a bottle of cooking oil or a health drink for your family, the words on the label can matter as much as the price. “100% atta”, “cholesterol free”, “clinically proven” and “healthy” are the kinds of claims that can influence what goes into a shopping basket, particularly when consumers are trying to eat better or make informed choices for their children.
But how much should shoppers trust these promises?
That question is coming into sharper focus as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) steps up scrutiny of food labels, nutrition claims, energy drinks, online listings and food-safety practices. As of August, the regulator said it had issued more than 150 notices to food and beverage companies in recent months over alleged misleading advertisements, false claims and labelling violations.
Claims on packaged foods under scrutiny
In August, ITC’s Aashirvaad MP Chakki Atta faced regulatory action over claims on its packaging, including “100% Atta”, “100% Madhya Pradesh Wheat” and “0% Maida”. ITC challenged the action in the Delhi High Court, which granted interim protection against cancellation or suspension of the company’s licence. The case has not been finally decided on its merits.
Also Read: Nestle India submits response to FSSAI over Lactogen Pro 1 digestion claim
AWL Agri Business, which sells Fortune cooking oil, also faced scrutiny over claims on its Soya Health Refined Soyabean Oil, including “100% Veg” and “Cholesterol Free – For Healthy Lifestyle”.
Dabur challenged a prohibitory order concerning “100% Pure”, “100% Natural” and “100% Organic” claims on products including honey, ghee and oils. The Delhi High Court stayed the order; the stay does not amount to a final ruling on the claims.
The action has also covered smaller and specialised food businesses. In June, FSSAI issued notices to 14 businesses over the use of terms such as “healthy” and “organic” on products including bread, poha, supplements, pizza bases, chips, oil, ghee and drinking water.
The businesses named included Emami Healthy & Tasty, Neuherbs, Troovy, Healthy Master and Two Brothers Organic Farms.
FSSAI has separately flagged six food businesses over claims relating to “100%” effectiveness, energy drinks and immunity. According to reports, Amway India, Emami, Bonn Biscuits and three other companies withdrew “100%” claims after regulatory intervention.
Horlicks and Nestlé products face questions over claims
Hindustan Unilever’s Horlicks products have faced scrutiny over nutrition and health-related claims. Horlicks Women’s Plus was flagged over claims including “Nutrition for Strong Bones”, “Clinically Proven to Help Improve Bone Strength in 6 Months” and “Improves Bone Health”. Questions were also raised about claims relating to muscle health, the “No Added Sugar” label and statements about recommended daily allowances of certain nutrients.
FSSAI also issued a notice concerning Horlicks Mother’s Plus Kesar over claims relating to healthy birth weight and statements associated with pregnancy and lactation.
Also Read: FSSAI issues notice to Zepto over alleged delivery of expired besan
Nestlé India has faced scrutiny over different products. Its Nescafé ready-to-drink product was flagged over a mismatch between the “Flavoured Milk” description on the front of the pack and “Proprietary Food – Dairy Based Drink” on the back, along with inconsistencies in online listings.
The company’s Resource Renal Vanilla Flavour Powder, intended for dietary management of chronic kidney disease, was questioned over alleged approval and labelling non-compliance.
In separate proceedings involving infant nutrition products NAN Excella Pro Stage 1 and Lactogen Pro 1, questions were raised over claims concerning human milk oligosaccharides, whey protein and ease of digestion. Nestlé said its products complied with regulations and that the labels had been approved by an FSSAI expert committee.
A separate sample of follow-up formula was found non-conforming for biotin after reanalysis.
Cooking oil claims and energy drinks
On October 16, FSSAI issued notices to Gemini Edibles & Fats India, BigBasket operator Innovative Retail Concepts and Flipkart India over claims associated with Freedom Cooking Rice Bran Oil.
The claims included that the oil “reduces bad cholesterol and maintains/increases good cholesterol” and contains “10,000+ PPM Natural Oryzanol”. FSSAI said the cholesterol and heart-health claims were not permitted under the applicable regulations. Gemini was also flagged over an alleged lack of a valid central e-commerce licence.
Energy drinks have also been subject to regulatory action. FSSAI directed companies to stop using the descriptor “energy drink”, saying there was no corresponding Indian standard for the term and that certain claims about energising the body or mind, or addressing general weakness, could mislead consumers.
The restrictions have triggered separate legal challenges by Red Bull, PepsiCo, Monster Beverage and Reliance Consumer Products. On September 29, the Delhi High Court set aside FSSAI’s order against Red Bull on the ground that the company had not been given an opportunity to respond. On October 6, the court granted interim relief to Reliance Consumer Products, PepsiCo and Monster, staying the regulator’s orders pending further hearings. PepsiCo and its bottlers were permitted to sell existing stocks carrying the “energy drink” description, but the order did not permit fresh manufacturing with that label.
On October 15, PepsiCo told the court that its products could run out of stock nationwide within two months if the restriction continued. The court has not ruled on the merits of the regulator’s action; the next hearing in the cases involving PepsiCo, Monster and Reliance was scheduled for November 5.
Restaurants, hotels and online platforms
FSSAI’s enforcement actions have extended to food-service establishments and online platforms. In its August update, the regulator reported issuing more than 30 notices to food-service establishments, including KFC, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Domino’s and Costa Coffee. Five Domino’s outlet licences were suspended, according to reports.
More than 20 notices were also issued to food-service establishments over calorie disclosure and menu labelling. Hotel groups named in reports included Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Radisson Hotel Group, Four Seasons and Shangri-La.
The regulator also issued 12 notices to e-commerce platforms, including Amazon and Flipkart. Reports said the licence of an Amazon warehouse was cancelled.
Priyagold, Dodla Dairy and Ueir face prosecution
On October 17, FSSAI announced prosecution proceedings against Surya Food & Agro, the maker of Priyagold biscuits, Dodla Dairy and Ueir Organic Foods over alleged food-safety violations. The cases involve separate findings concerning biscuit manufacturing, milk and yellow raisins.
An inspection of Surya Food & Agro, prompted by a consumer complaint, found that bran intended for cattle feed was being used as a fibre source in biscuit manufacturing, according to the regulator. The inspection also flagged deficiencies in plant hygiene, pest control, raw-material storage and segregation, personnel hygiene and premises maintenance. The company’s licence was suspended, and prosecution proceedings were initiated.
Dodla Dairy faces prosecution over a sample of full-cream milk. The initial analysis found that the sample had fat content below the prescribed standard. After the company appealed, a referral laboratory confirmed that the sample was unsafe due to the presence of detergent or caustic soda and was substandard because its fat content was below the minimum prescribed limit.
In Ueir Organic Foods’ case, a sample of yellow raisins was found to contain pesticide residues above prescribed limits. The referral laboratory confirmed that certain residues exceeded the permitted limits, according to reports on the regulatory action.
FSSAI also issued notices to Narpadham Foods, Sun Ridges Health Carers and Sha Kantilal Jayantilal over issues including hygiene, storage, licensing and business documentation. The regulator’s findings included inadequate storage and sanitation arrangements, food stored directly on the floor, and missing food-safety and supplier records at certain premises.