FSSAI Crackdown: Major Food Companies Face Legal Action
An FSSAI official reviews documentation during an inspection of food products.
Key Highlights
FSSAI launches legal proceedings against major food and beverage companies in India over severe safety violations, hygiene failures, and misleading practices.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has launched legal action and issued notices to major food and beverage companies following the discovery of severe safety violations, hygiene failures, and misleading marketing practices.
Enforcement Actions and Safety Violations
The regulatory authority has initiated prosecution proceedings against specific enterprises for severe infractions discovered during inspections and laboratory testing.
Here are the key companies facing legal action:
Surya Food & Agro, the manufacturer of Priyagold biscuits, was found using bran specifically designated for cattle feed as a fiber source in human food production alongside poor plant hygiene and pest control issues.
Dodla Dairy faced prosecution after a referral laboratory confirmed that full cream milk samples were unsafe due to the presence of detergent or caustic soda, in addition to being substandard due to low milk fat.
UEIR Organic Foods faces legal proceedings due to pesticide residues of thiamethoxam and fluopyram exceeding prescribed limits in yellow raisins.
Notices Over Misleading Claims and Labeling
The regulator also addressed marketing practices and labeling inconsistencies by issuing formal notices to leading fast-moving consumer goods corporations.
Here are the specific compliance issues flagged by the regulator:
Hindustan Unilever received notices regarding Horlicks products, where claims such as nutrition for strong bones, healthy muscles, no added sugar, and healthy birth weight were flagged as misleading or non-compliant with regulations.
Nestlé India was questioned regarding inconsistent labeling on Nescafe Ready-to-Drink beverages where physical packaging and online platforms displayed conflicting declarations.
Nestlé India also received notice for failing to obtain mandatory approval for its Resource Renal Vanilla Flavour Powder product.
These enforcement actions demonstrate the regulator’s intensified efforts to enforce strict food safety and advertising standards across the industry.