FSSAI has initiated action against Zepto and several food companies over alleged safety and labelling violations. The cases place expired goods, ingredient declarations, supplement claims and juice marketing under regulatory scrutiny.
Expired besan, cream roll claims put Zepto and food firms under FSSAI scrutiny
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated action against quick-commerce platform Zepto and several food companies over alleged food safety violations, expired products and potentially misleading labelling claims, including concerns over a product sold as a cream roll and fruit juice marketed with claims about its contents.
According to notices and an adjudication order referred to in a recent post on FSSAI's official social media account, the regulator has sought explanations and corrective action in separate cases involving Zepto Marketplace Private Limited, Bakelite Food Processing Private Limited, BMS Lifescience, Healthyhey Foods LLP and Storia Foods & Beverages Private Limited.
The cases cover alleged delivery of expired gram flour, questions over the use of the word "cream" on a bakery product, health-related claims on cranberry capsules and claims about fruit juice content and added sugar.
ZEPTO FACES NOTICE OVER EXPIRED BESAN PACKETS
FSSAI issued a notice to Zepto Marketplace Private Limited after a complaint posted on X alleged that two packets of besan, or gram flour, had been delivered after their use-by date.
The packets reportedly carried the marking "USE BY: 12092026", indicating September 12, 2026, as the use-by date.
The regulator has directed the company to verify the complaint and provide details about the order, delivery, warehouse, seller and product involved. It has also sought an explanation for the alleged lapse and details of corrective measures.
These measures include withdrawing the affected stock, informing customers and issuing refunds wherever applicable.
The notice seeks to establish what happened during the order fulfilment and delivery process and what steps the company will take to address the complaint.
FSSAI QUESTIONS 'CREAM' LABEL ON BAKERY PRODUCT
In a separate case, FSSAI issued a notice to Bakelite Food Processing Private Limited over its product, "Malpani's Bake-Lite Puneri Cream Roll", sold through quick-commerce platforms Blinkit and Zepto.
The regulator raised concerns that the product's name and presentation could create a misleading impression about its ingredients, particularly whether the filling contained dairy products.
According to the notice, the declared ingredients included refined wheat flour, hydrogenated vegetable fat, margarine and sugar, but did not list milk, cream or other dairy ingredients.
FSSAI questioned the use of the term "cream", saying it could mislead consumers about the nature of the filling.
The case raises concerns about whether the name and presentation of a packaged food product accurately communicate its ingredients to buyers, particularly those who rely on labels when making purchasing decisions.
CRANBERRY CAPSULES UNDER SCRUTINY OVER HEALTH CLAIMS
FSSAI has also raised concerns over health-related claims and labelling on cranberry supplement products sold by BMS Lifescience and Healthyhey Foods LLP.
In the case involving BMS Lifescience's "Haog's Cranberry Urinary Tract Health Capsules", the regulator cited an expired FSSAI registration certificate, potentially misleading disease-related claims and the use of the FSSAI logo in a manner that could imply certification or endorsement.
The notice questioned whether the product's claims and presentation complied with the applicable requirements.
Similar concerns were raised regarding cranberry extract capsules marketed by Healthyhey Foods LLP. These included labelling discrepancies and claims that required prior approval.
The proceedings bring the marketing of food supplements under scrutiny, particularly where product descriptions or health-related claims could influence consumers' understanding of their intended benefits.
STORIA FOODS FACES ADJUDICATION PROCEEDINGS
Separately, FSSAI sanctioned adjudication proceedings against Storia Foods & Beverages Private Limited over labelling claims on its pomegranate juice.
The regulator pointed to the product's composition, which included 4% pomegranate juice concentrate and 12% apple juice concentrate.
It also questioned the claim "Equivalent to 100% Fruit Juice (Reconstituted)" and the presentation of "No Added Sugar" alongside information about naturally occurring fruit sugar.
The concerns relate to how the product's composition and sugar content are communicated to consumers. Such claims can influence buyers' understanding of what a beverage contains and how it is marketed.
The adjudication proceedings mark a separate stage of regulatory action from the notices issued in the other cases.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The companies concerned have been directed to respond to the notices or take action as specified in their respective proceedings.
The cases span different aspects of food regulation, from the handling and delivery of products past their use-by dates to the accuracy of ingredient declarations, supplement claims and marketing statements about fruit juice.
For consumers, the proceedings underline the importance of checking use-by dates, ingredient lists and product claims when purchasing packaged food and supplements, including through quick-commerce platforms.
However, notices alleging violations and the initiation of proceedings should not be treated as final findings of liability. The allegations and regulatory concerns remain subject to the applicable legal process.
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