Latest news with #FSSAI
News18
a day ago
- Business
- News18
Here's Why FSSAI Is Warning Food Brands Against Using ‘100%' Claims On Labels
Last Updated: The FSSAI has issued a warning to food businesses against using misleading '100%' claims on their packaging, labels, or advertisements. Read on to find out why. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) warned food businesses against using '100 per cent' claims on their packaging, labels and advertisements. The regulatory body issued the statement as many companies were promoting their products like '100 per cent natural', '100 per cent pure' and '100 per cent organic'. In the FSSAI notice dated May 30, 2025, the food body pointed out that the term 100 per cent is not recognised under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 or the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations of 2018. They said the phrasing could mislead consumers and rig the market competition. On surface '100 per cent' sounds reassuring, however, could be deceptive. An NDTV report stated that many fruit juice products are labelled as '100 per cent juice', however, it is made from fruit concentrate mixed with water rather than fresh juice. The report added that the phrasing created a perception of absolute purity or exceptional quality which may not reflect the actual product content. The consumers, the agency said, focus on bold claims made on the front label but ignore fine print on the back while making quick purchasing decisions. The FSSAI said such marketing tactics not only mislead consumers but also place competing products at a disadvantage, especially those that are truthful and not marketed aggressively. According to the report, sub-regulation 4(1) of the Advertising and Claims Regulations, 2018, all claims made on food products should be truthful, unambiguous, not misleading, and should help customers comprehend the product information clearly. Additionally, sub-regulation 10(7) prohibits any claim or advertisement which distorts consumer perception or unfairly disparages other products. Reportedly, FSSAI said that these '100 per cent' purity claims often fail to meet the aforementioned conditions, potentially breaching existing advertising regulations. As per another CNBC report, the regulatory body has urged food businesses to refrain from using '100 per cent' in any labelling, branding, or promotional content unless it is verifiable and clearly defined. The objective is to maintain open communication while safeguarding consumer rights and ensuring equitable practices in food advertising. This advisory serves as FSSAI's renewed pledge to combat misleading marketing while fostering informed dietary decisions among Indian consumers. First Published: June 02, 2025, 16:15 IST
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
Food Safety Raids: 8,000 Cold Drink Bottles In UP, Ghee Worth Rs 23 Lakh Confiscated In Gujarat
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is currently conducting investigations and food safety raids in multiple food outlets across cities. These inspections are necessary to check that food businesses are adhering to the strict quality and hygiene standards of the food they are serving to customers. In an Instagram post shared by FSSAI on May 31, 2025, the authority shared that the Food Security Department conducted a raid at an unlicensed cold drink factory in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. Nearly 8,000 bottles and products worth Rs 1.07 lakh were seized from Nawada Mohalla. The warehouse was sealed, and the sample was sent to Lucknow for investigation. Pictures shared by FSSAI show multiple cold drink bottles in packets and crates, along with the machine used in the production of these unlicensed soft drinks. See the post here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by FSSAI (@fssai_safefood) In another post on June 1, 2025, the department shared that the Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) of Aravalli, Gujarat, conducted a coordinated raid on M/s Bapashri Dairy Products in Bhiloda, Aravalli, Gujarat, in collaboration with the Police and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team. "During the operation, seven samples were collected. Stocks of ghee and butter were deemed suspicious, weighing over 4.4 tons and valued at Rs. 23.74 lakh, and were confiscated. Additionally, it was identified that the firm was operating without a valid FSSAI license, prompting further necessary legal actions," FSSAI shares. See the post here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by FSSAI (@fssai_safefood) Images shared on the post reveal the brand as "Meshu Pure Ghee", with several cartons of the ghee lined next to each other. While the packaging shows an FSSAI mark, as shared in the post, the firm did not have a valid FSSAI license.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Maharashtra FDA books Mumbai-based firm for reselling expired food products after repackaging
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently initiated legal proceedings against a Mumbai-based firm, Khushi Trading, for allegedly repackaging expired food products and reselling them in the market. The firm in Ghatkopar has also been accused of operating without a valid food safety licence and violating prior stop-business orders. According to FDA officials, the crackdown was conducted following inputs from Minister of State for FDA Yogesh Kadam and under the supervision of Joint Commissioner (Food) Mangesh Mane. An official said a surprise inspection on May 22 at the firm's premises in Cozmongie Estate, Ghatkopar (West), uncovered serious lapses, including the absence of an FSSAI licence, unhygienic storage conditions, and evidence of procurement of expired and near-expiry goods from retail giant D-Mart, which were allegedly being repackaged for fresh sale. 'This poses a direct threat to public health… The firm was found flouting multiple provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, including hygiene norms laid out in Schedule 4,' said a senior FDA official. Despite being issued a stop-business order by Food Safety Officer Abhinandan Randive on May 22, a follow-up inspection on May 29, conducted along with Assistant Commissioner (Food) Anupamaa Balasaheb Patil, revealed that the firm had resumed operations without permission, in violation of regulatory directives. Following this, an FIR was registered at the Ghatkopar police station under Section 223 (disobedience of lawful orders) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 55 (penalties for failing to comply with the food safety officer's directions) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. FDA officials have confirmed that an internal investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of D-Mart's involvement, particularly branches in Navi Mumbai and Bhiwandi, from where Khushi Trading allegedly sourced expired stock. D-Mart's comment is awaited on the matter. The FDA has reiterated its warning to all food business operators to adhere to food safety laws strictly and stated that failure to do so will result in stringent legal action. The FDA recently also suspended the food business license of Kiranakart Technologies, the parent company of the quick-commerce platform Zepto, following an inspection that revealed unhygienic storage practices for food items at its Dharavi facility in Mumbai.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Amul denies activists' charge that its ‘liquid instant formula' violates IMS Act
Representative image Activists argue Amul's promotion of the product highlighting its convenience for working mothers positions it as a breastfeeding substitute, which is prohibited. Amul has said that it's 'in complete compliance of the IMS Act' Amul's widely publicised launch of "India's first liquid infant formula" has outraged activists who have complained to the government that it is a violation of the Infant Milk Substitutes (IMS) Act. The Act prohibits the promotion of any breastmilk substitute meant for children below two years of age. The launch of Amul's liquid ready-to-feed infant milk substitute and its coverage in the media highlighted its convenience, particularly describing it as "ideal to carry" and "good for working mothers". "Such framing directly positions the product as a substitute for breastfeeding and this action as promotion," argued public health activists who have complained to the secretaries of the women and child development ministry, the health ministry, the CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. In response to the objections, Amul tweeted: "Amulspray is one of India's oldest and most trusted infant milk food brands and is in complete compliance of the IMS Act...". Public health advocates argued that Amul's actions constitute a clear case of promotion of an infant milk substitute - an act explicitly prohibited under Section 3(c) of the IMS Act, which states: "No person shall... take part in the promotion of infant milk substitutes, feeding bottles or infant foods". The law also prohibits having any pictures or other graphic material or phrases designed to increase the saleability of infant milk substitute or infant food. Amul's use of a teddy bear graphic on the product's label could be considered a breach of this provision, they stated. The complaint has demanded an enquiry into the launch and promotion of Amul's product, immediate removal of the graphic of a teddy bear from the product label, media guidelines for IMS-compliant reporting and strong enforcement of the IMS Act.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Amul's 'liquid infant formula' violates IMS Act: Activists to govt
Representative image Amul's widely publicised launch of "India's first liquid infant formula" has outraged activists who have complained to the govt that it is a violation of the Infant Milk Substitutes (IMS) Act. The Act prohibits the promotion of any breastmilk substitute meant for children below two years of age. The launch of Amul's liquid ready-to-feed infant milk substitute and its coverage in the media highlighted its convenience, particularly describing it as "ideal to carry" and "good for working mothers". "Such framing directly positions the product as a substitute for breastfeeding and this action as promotion," argued public health activists who have complained to the secretaries of the women and child development ministry, the health ministry, the CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. In response to the objections, Amul tweeted: "Amulspray is one of India's oldest and most trusted infant milk food brands and is in complete compliance of the IMS Act...". Public health advocates argued that Amul's actions constitute a clear case of promotion of an infant milk substitute - an act explicitly prohibited under Section 3(c) of the IMS Act, which states: "No person shall... take part in the promotion of infant milk substitutes, feeding bottles or infant foods". The law also prohibits having any pictures or other graphic material or phrases designed to increase the saleability of infant milk substitute or infant food. Amul's use of a teddy bear graphic on the product's label could be considered a breach of this provision, they stated. The complaint has demanded an enquiry into the launch and promotion of Amul's product, immediate removal of the graphic of a teddy bear from the product label, media guidelines for IMS-compliant reporting and strong enforcement of the IMS Act.
