FSSAI Issues Notices to 8 Food Companies for Misleading Claims
Various food products with marketing claims on a counter, with a document and pen
Key Highlights
India’s FSSAI cracks down on 8 food companies, including Emami and Plan B, for deceptive marketing and misleading product claims, enforcing the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
FSSAI Targets Food Companies Over Misleading Claims
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to eight food business operators, flagging them for using potentially misleading brand names, trade names, and product claims. This action addresses violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, as announced by the regulator.
Companies Under Scrutiny
The companies receiving these notices include:
- Emami Healthy & Tasty: For its cooking oil’s trade name, deemed potentially misleading.
- Plan B: For promoting products as ‘plant-based vegan’ without prior FSSAI approval.
- The Healthy Factory: For ‘Zero Maida’ bread and pizza base containing wheat gluten, leading to misleading labeling.
- Neuherbs: For its ‘True Vitamin’ product range, a term undefined and unrecognized by FSSAI.
- Troovy: For ‘healthy’ claims on snacks like ‘Healthy Mix Veggie Chips’ despite other ingredients.
- Healthy Master: Questioned for its tagline ‘Vision to serve healthy’.
- Healthy Choice: Scrutinized for its ‘Healthy food for Healthy life Poha’ branding.
- Health Aid: Its brand name was also cited for potentially creating misleading impressions.
Regulatory Action and Implications
This move underscores FSSAI’s commitment to consumer protection against deceptive marketing. The notices highlight the need for strict adherence to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, ensuring product claims accurately reflect their nature and benefits.