Latest news with #FoodSafetyandStandardsAuthorityofIndia
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.
News18
2 days ago
- Health
- News18
Safe to Drink? The Untold Risks of Packaged Water in India
Last Updated: The next time you reach for that bottle of water, remember it's not just about quenching thirst. It's about trusting a system designed to protect you, from source to sip. In a country where soaring temperatures and rising pollution levels often make access to clean drinking water a challenge, packaged bottled water is seen as a convenient and seemingly trustworthy solution. Be it at railway stations, airports, or roadside stalls, a bottle of mineral water is often perceived as a safer choice. But is it always as safe as it looks? 'We often take the safety of packaged drinking water for granted, but there is a long and rather strict set of scientific protocols and regulatory checks behind the label on every bottle," says Dr. Saurabh Arora, Managing Director, Auriga Research. The assumption that bottled water is inherently safer than tap water is a common one, especially in urban India. But the real story behind that chilled bottle involves decades of regulatory evolution, public health scares, and increasingly stringent quality standards. According to Dr. Arora, 'Two decades ago, the industry had no specific standards. It was only after significant public health concerns, including the presence of pesticide residues in bottled water and even carbonated beverages, that the Bureau of Indian Standards introduced mandatory frameworks such as IS 14543 for packaged drinking water and IS 13428 for packaged natural mineral water. These standards not only cover the water's quality but also the safety of packaging materials like bottles, jars, and pouches." advetisement These regulations have transformed the bottled water industry into one of the most rigorously monitored food sectors in India. Every licensed bottling facility is mandated to conduct daily tests to monitor basic parameters like pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), and conductivity. Weekly and monthly testing expands the spectrum to include anions, cations, pesticide residues, heavy metals, and even microbiological pathogens. 'Today, every licensed facility is expected to conduct daily tests for basic parameters such as pH, dissolved solids, and conductivity. Weekly and monthly testing requirements cover a wide spectrum, from anions and cations to pesticide residues, heavy metals, and microbiological pathogens. Third-party laboratory testing at BIS or NABL-accredited labs is mandatory at multiple intervals throughout the year," says Dr. Arora. Interestingly, quality control doesn't end with the water alone. Even the plastic bottle it comes in undergoes scrutiny. 'Even the sensory attributes of water, its smell, taste, and clarity, are validated through organoleptic testing. Packaging, too, undergoes rigorous evaluation for structural integrity and chemical migration to prevent leaching of harmful substances," he explains. With the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) stepping in as a key regulatory body, the bar for compliance has been raised even higher. Packaged water is now classified as a high-risk food product, a designation that requires bottling plants to undergo third-party audits every six months. 'With the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India now overseeing regulatory compliance, packaged water has been classified as a high-risk food product. This means facilities must undergo third-party audits every six months and remain compliant with FSSAI's quality framework," Dr. Arora adds. Despite these layers of quality checks, consumer trust doesn't come from the glossy label or a fancy cap. 'At our research center, we believe that trust in packaged water does not stem from branding or packaging. It is built on an invisible ecosystem of state-of-the-art testing infrastructure, regulatory vigilance, and scientific integrity. It is this commitment that safeguards public health and ensures that every sip consumers take is not only refreshing but also safe," says Dr. Arora. So the next time you reach for that bottle of water, remember—it's not just about quenching thirst. It's about trusting a system designed to protect you, from source to sip. About the Author Swati Chaturvedi First Published: June 01, 2025, 11:39 IST
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.
