FSSAI Cracks Down on Deceptive Food Labels

Kalpana Kanungo - Mumbai Bureau Jul 13, 2026 1,950 Views

The FSSAI has issued notices to multiple food brands, including Lotte India and Ferns N Petals, for misleading labels such as "100% Natural" and "Premium Chocolate." The crackdown targets deceptive marketing, such as fruit candies without real fruit and chocolate products lacking cocoa, as part of a wider effort to enforce strict food transparency.

NEW DELHI — In a widespread regulatory push to protect consumer interests, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated a crackdown on packaged food companies over alleged misleading labels and deceptive product claims. The regulator has issued show-cause notices to several prominent food business operators, including Lotte India Corporation, Ferns N Petals, and Kubera Foods, demanding explanations for inconsistencies between front-of-pack marketing and actual product composition.

The FSSAI’s latest enforcement action highlights a persistent gap in the packaged food market where brands often employ terminology—such as "100% Natural," "Premium," or specific fruit-based descriptors—that the regulator deems contradictory to the ingredients listed on the back of the packaging.

Targeting 'No-Fruit' Candy and 'No-Cocoa' Chocolate

Among the specific violations cited by the FSSAI are products that suggest a profile they do not possess. In its notices, the regulator flagged several instances where "fruit-flavoured" candies were marketed in a manner that implied the presence of real fruit, despite having no fruit ingredients.

Similarly, the FSSAI scrutinized products labeled as "Premium Chocolate" that reportedly contained hydrogenated vegetable fats rather than the cocoa butter mandated for chocolate classification. Other flagged products include "100% Vegetarian" claims on Choco Pie variants—which the regulator found misleading—and nutritional labeling discrepancies on biscuit sticks.

Broader Regulatory Scrutiny

This action is part of a larger ongoing campaign by the FSSAI to eliminate deceptive branding. Earlier in 2026, the regulator issued notices to various beverage companies over the misbranding of "energy drinks" and to multiple brands for making unsubstantiated "healthy," "natural," and "organic" claims.

According to the FSSAI’s guidelines, any claim made on the front of a package must be scientifically substantiated and aligned with the detailed disclosures provided in the ingredient list and nutritional facts. The companies served with these recent notices have been directed to explain within seven days why regulatory action, including potential penalties or product recalls under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, should not be initiated against them.

Impact on Consumers and Industry

For consumers, these regulatory measures are a critical step toward transparency. Dietitians and health experts emphasize that front-of-pack marketing often influences purchasing decisions, making it essential for the regulator to ensure that labels are not used to obscure the actual nutritional profile or quality of the food.

For the food industry, this marks a shift toward stricter compliance. FBOs are now facing increased pressure to align their branding with established regulatory definitions, particularly regarding terms like "fresh," "natural," and "healthy," which the FSSAI maintains must be backed by verifiable data.

Key Facts at a Glance

Regulatory Action: The FSSAI issued show-cause notices to Lotte India, Ferns N Petals, and Kubera Foods for alleged labeling violations.
Flagged Claims: Specific issues include "100% Natural" labels on products containing preservatives, "Premium Chocolate" made without cocoa butter, and "Fruit" candies containing zero fruit.
Compliance Timeline: Companies have been given seven days to respond to the regulator’s show-cause notices.
Legal Basis: The enforcement is conducted under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is FSSAI issuing these notices?

The regulator is cracking down on misleading branding that creates a false impression of a product's quality or health benefits, violating the Food Safety and Standards Act.

What happens if a company fails to comply?

Companies that do not provide satisfactory explanations or correct their labeling violations face potential penalties, product recalls, or further legal action.

Should consumers trust front-of-pack labels?

The FSSAI advises consumers to always verify the ingredient list, nutritional information, and mandatory disclosures on the back of the packaging rather than relying solely on front-of-pack claims.

Source:

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)