- FSSAI issued notices to food firms for misleading claims and branding violations.
- Marico's Saffola oil faced scrutiny for unapproved heart-health benefit claims.
- Products flagged include noodles, juices, supplements, and dairy items for false claims.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India continues its crackdown, and has issued a fresh set of notices to multiple food business operators for misleading claims and branding. They've cited consumer complaints, alleged hygiene lapses and misleading branding and labelling practices across products spanning dairy, snacks, nutraceuticals, beverages and packaged foods.
Consumer goods major Marico's Saffola Total Heart Pro-Multi Source Cooking Oil was also among the products that received notices. FSSAI said the use of terms such as "Heart Pro" and related imagery could create an impression of heart-health benefits beyond what is permitted under existing regulations. The regulator also sought substantiation for certain front-of-pack claims.
Other products flagged include Medizen Labs' AS-IT-IS Atom PWR Whey XL, Gaur Healthy Food's Silken Tofu, MasterChow noodles, Ferrero India's Kinder Joy-coated wafer biscuits, Pluckk Mango Fruit Juice and Natural Paneer products.
The regulator's observations ranged from allegedly misleading "100% Natural", "100% Veg", "No Added Sugar" and "Rich in Milk Solids" claims to the use of disease-related or therapeutic claims that require prior regulatory approval.
The regulator raised concerns over claims made by Incipro Gold Powder Vanilla, Korean Ginseng supplements, Orville Mountain Bawarchi Buransh Squash, Nexa Industries' Alkaline Nutrient Water and Raw Pressery's Alphonso Mango Fruit Drink.
Among the consumer complaint cases, the regulator issued a notice to Param Dairy Ltd after receiving a social media complaint alleging fungal contamination in dahi and rabri supplied through IRCTC catering services. FSSAI also issued a notice to Bikanervala following allegations that a staff member was consuming food inside a service or kitchen area during operational hours.
Saffola Oils also issued an official statement stating: "The Company is in receipt of a show cause notice from the FSSAI with respect to certain claims on the packaging of Saffola Total, which is a niche premium variant of Saffola Oils. Saffola Total is a multi-source edible oil and comes with LOSORB Technology, due to which food absorbs less oil as compared to other oils."
"The oil is also fortified with Vitamins A & D. We wish to clarify that Saffola Oils remains fully compliant with the prevailing applicable laws. The claims and labelling on Saffola Total are in compliance with the applicable food laws and are scientifically substantiated."
"Saffola Oils have been an integral part of millions of Indian households for decades and are labelled and advertised in full compliance with all applicable food safety regulations. We are in the process of filing a detailed reply with the authorities, clarifying all aspects of the notice along with relevant substantiations," they concluded.
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