New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has intensified its enforcement drive against food and beverage businesses, revealing that it has issued more than 150 notices in recent months over alleged misleading advertisements, false claims and violations of food-labelling regulations.
Major companies named by the regulator include Nestlé India, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola India, Mondelez India, Danone India, Ferrero India, Red Bull India, Monster Energy India, Hell Energy, Abbott India, Diageo and Pernod Ricard, among others.
Why Did FSSAI Issue the Notices?
According to FSSAI, the enforcement actions relate primarily to three areas:
- Misleading advertisements
- False or unsubstantiated product claims
- Non-compliance with labelling requirements
The regulator announced the details as part of an update on enforcement measures taken against food business operators during the past few months.
The action reflects increasing regulatory scrutiny over how packaged foods, beverages and restaurant products are marketed to consumers.
Importantly, receiving a regulatory notice does not by itself establish that a company has committed an offence. Companies may be asked to explain their claims or address identified compliance issues before further regulatory action is considered.
Major Food and Beverage Brands Under Scrutiny
FSSAI’s list covers companies operating across multiple food and beverage categories.
Among the businesses named are:
- Nestlé India
- PepsiCo
- Coca-Cola India
- Mondelez India
- Danone India
- Ferrero India
- Abbott India
- Red Bull India
- Monster Energy India
- Hell Energy
- Diageo
- Pernod Ricard
The enforcement drive therefore extends beyond conventional packaged foods to beverages, energy drinks and other consumer products.
FSSAI has also said products were seized in certain cases for non-compliance with food safety and standards regulations.
Quick-Commerce Platforms Also Face Action
The regulator’s scrutiny is not limited to manufacturers.
FSSAI issued 12 notices to quick-commerce and online platforms, including Flipkart Minutes and Amazon Now, according to the latest enforcement data.
The licence of an Amazon warehouse was also cancelled, according to the regulator’s information cited in reports.
The action highlights FSSAI’s growing focus on the rapidly expanding online grocery and instant-delivery sector, where products can reach millions of consumers through digital platforms.
KFC, McDonald’s, Domino’s and Other Food Chains Named
Restaurants and quick-service chains have also come under regulatory scrutiny.
More than 30 notices were issued to establishments including:
- KFC
- Pizza Hut
- Domino’s
- McDonald’s
- Costa Coffee
FSSAI’s enforcement covers compliance requirements applicable to food-service operators in addition to packaged-food manufacturers.
The move indicates that the regulator is examining consumer-facing information throughout the food industry rather than focusing exclusively on products sold in supermarkets.
Luxury Hotels Face Menu-Labelling Scrutiny
More than 20 additional notices were issued to food-service establishments, including several major hotel and restaurant groups.
International hotel chains mentioned in the reports include Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Radisson Hotel Group, Four Seasons and Shangri-La.
The issues in these cases reportedly included compliance with calorie disclosure and menu-labelling requirements.
Menu labelling is designed to provide consumers with clearer nutritional information when purchasing food at restaurants and other establishments.
FSSAI Steps Up Action Against Misleading Claims
Food brands frequently use terms linked to health, nutrition, purity and other product characteristics in advertisements and packaging.
Such claims are required to comply with India’s food safety and advertising regulations and must not mislead consumers about a product’s composition, nutritional value or benefits.
The latest enforcement drive demonstrates that FSSAI is placing increasing emphasis on transparency in both advertising and product labelling.
Consumers are also encouraged to look beyond prominent front-of-pack marketing claims and examine nutrition information and ingredient lists before purchasing products.
What Happens After a FSSAI Notice?
A notice generally gives the concerned food business operator an opportunity to respond to the regulator and explain or correct the alleged violation.
Depending on the findings and seriousness of a case, FSSAI can take further regulatory action under applicable food safety laws.
The latest announcement does not mean that every company named faces the same violation or level of action. The enforcement measures cover a range of alleged issues involving advertisements, claims, labels, menus and other compliance requirements.
Stronger Food-Regulation Enforcement
With more than 150 notices already issued, FSSAI’s latest action represents a significant regulatory push aimed at ensuring that consumers receive accurate information about the food and beverages they purchase.
The inclusion of some of India’s biggest food brands, international restaurant chains, luxury hotels and online delivery platforms shows the broad scope of the enforcement drive.
As scrutiny over food advertising and health-related claims increases, companies are likely to face greater pressure to ensure that their packaging, promotional material and consumer information comply strictly with regulatory standards.
Source – The Economic Times / Press Trust of India (PTI)
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