SRINAGAR: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to several food companies for allegedly using misleading brand names, trade names and product claims that could deceive consumers, as part of a crackdown on violations of food labelling norms.
The food regulator said the companies were found to be in violation of provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and directed them to comply strictly with labelling and display regulations.
In a post on X, FSSAI said, “These FBOs are directed to strictly comply with the established labelling and display regulations to prevent consumer deception.”
Among the brands served notices are Healthy Master, Neuherbs True Vitamin, Plant B, The Health Factory, Troovy, Healthy Choice, Emami’s Healthy and Tasty, Health Aid, Organic Wisdom, Shine Organic, Two Brothers Organic Farms, Storia, World of Organic and Iota Water.
According to the regulator, trade names used by brands such as Healthy Master, The Health Factory, Healthy Choice, Emami’s Healthy and Tasty and Health Aid are likely to mislead consumers by creating impressions about the health benefits of products that may not be supported under applicable regulations.
FSSAI also objected to the use of the term “True Vitamin” by Neuherbs, stating that it is neither defined nor recognised under existing regulations and may mislead consumers.
In the case of Plant B’s plant-based vegan products, the regulator said the branding could create the impression that the products are certified vegan, despite the company not having obtained prior approval for vegan food endorsements under its FSSAI licence.
The regulator further flagged Troovy’s “Healthy Mix” chips, stating that the use of the term “healthy” could be misleading in view of the product’s composition.
Separate notices were issued to Organic Wisdom, Shine Organic and Two Brothers Organic Farms over the use of the word “organic” in their branding. FSSAI said the companies lacked the required certification, Jaivik Bharat logo and necessary organic endorsements, potentially misleading consumers regarding the organic status of their products.
The action forms part of the regulator’s wider efforts to strengthen compliance with food labelling standards and ensure consumers are not misled by unverified health, nutritional or organic claims on packaged food products.
