FSSAI notices cover products from several well-known companies, with violations ranging from misleading advertisements to improper labelling and unsupported health claims.
LEH/KARGIL: The Union Territory Administration of Ladakh has launched a major food safety enforcement drive after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued notices to 85 food products of leading national and international brands for alleged violations relating to misleading claims, misbranding, incorrect labelling, non-standardised products, unauthorised health claims and other breaches of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Separate circulars issued by the Assistant Commissioners of Food Safety in Leh and Kargil have directed all retailers, wholesalers, distributors, restaurants, supermarkets and e-commerce sellers to immediately stop procuring, stocking, distributing, marketing, advertising or selling the products listed by FSSAI until the manufacturers rectify the deficiencies and obtain clearance from the competent authority.
Food Business Operators (FBOs) holding stocks of the listed products have also been instructed to submit detailed stock positions within seven days, while Food Safety Officers have been directed to conduct inspections across Leh, Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Kargil, Drass and Zanskar and submit periodic Action Taken Reports.
The FSSAI notices cover products from several well-known companies, with violations ranging from misleading advertisements to improper labelling and unsupported health claims.
Some of the prominent brands include Patanjali Doodh Biscuit – Notice issued for the “100% Atta” claim considered misleading; Ferrero Kinder Joy – Alleged misleading claim of being “Rich in Milk Solids” on coated wafer biscuits with cocoa spread; Raw Pressery Alphonso Mango Fruit Drink – Product contains added fructose despite carrying the claim “Contains Naturally Occurring Sugars”, which FSSAI termed misleading; Natural Paneer (Natural Sugar & Allied Industries) – Trademark usage of the word “Natural” questioned by FSSAI; MasterChow Ramen and Noodle Range – Multiple notices for claims such as “100% Natural”, “Healthy”, “Freshly Made”, misleading “Organic” references, incomplete nutrition declarations and misleading comparisons with competing products.
Storia Pomegranate Juice – Notice over allegedly misleading claims on fruit juice; Tata Electrolyte beverages – Notice relating to electrolyte drink claims; ITC B Natural Cranberry Juice – Complaint regarding misleading claims; Bisleri with Added Minerals – FSSAI sought an immediate explanation over allegedly misleading claims; Marico Saffola Total Heart Pro Cooking Oil – Claims such as “Heart Pro”, “Good Fats Balance” and “Losorb for less oil absorption” were questioned for potentially implying health benefits without adequate substantiation.
Heritage Fresh Paneer – Use of the terms “Fresh” and “Healthy” in branding considered potentially misleading; Amul Sugar Free Ice Cream – Included among products issued notices by FSSAI; and Dabur Heart Care Heart Healthy Oils infused with Arjuna – Notice issued by FSSAI.
Several nutraceutical and health supplement manufacturers were also flagged for unsupported health claims, incorrect product categorisation and licensing issues, including Vegan Pro Collagen (Nutrition Lab Pvt. Ltd.) – Vegan claim without approved vegan logo; FAST&UP Reload Electrolytes – Instant electrolyte claims questioned; Folineuro Syrup – Alleged non-compliance in licensing, categorisation and ingredient declarations; Sthiroot Bellyvam AM & PM – Misleading Ayurvedic claims, incomplete e-commerce disclosures and non-compliance with nutraceutical regulations; Cipzer Nutraceutical Juice Capsules – Use of “FSSAI Approved”, unsupported immunity claims and misleading ingredient representations were questioned.
FSSAI also issued notices to several leading beverage companies over the use of terms such as “Energy Drink” and “Sports Drink” for products licensed under different food categories. Brands covered include PepsiCo’s Sting Energy, Adrenaline Rush and Gatorade Sports Drink; Red Bull Energy Drink; Monster Energy marketed by Monster Energy India and Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages; Hell Energy Drink; and Glucon-D Activors, Liquid I.V., Enerzel, ERZL, Re-Hydrate and RehydroLife also feature in the notice list.
The Leh and Kargil Food Safety authorities have made it clear that any listed product cannot be procured or sold in the UT until the concerned manufacturers rectify the deficiencies and receive clearance from the competent authority. Food business operators have also been advised to verify FSSAI licences, label declarations and permissible claims before offering any packaged food, nutraceutical or beverage for sale.
The circulars warned that failure to comply may attract enforcement measures including seizure, product recall, suspension or cancellation of licences, and prosecution under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
