The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Friday, 19 June issued notices to 14 food business operators (FBOs), including Marico Ltd, Ferrero India, and Bikanervala, for alleged violations involving misleading product claims, labelling irregularities, branding practices, and consumer grievances. The regulator has directed all cited companies to take corrective action and ensure compliance with applicable food safety regulations.

How the Notices Were Issued

FSSAI announced the action via a post on social media platform X, stating that notices were served under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The violations cited span misleading brand names, trade names, product claims, and labelling breaches — primarily under the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018.

Key Companies and the Claims Under Scrutiny

Pluckk drew the regulator's attention for a 'No Added Sugar' claim on its mango fruit juice, even as the product's ingredient list reportedly declared mango pulp and sugar cane juice — a combination FSSAI said could create a misleading impression about the product's sugar content. The regulator also flagged the use of the term 'Natural Paneer' on a paneer product, ruling that the description violated provisions governing the use of the word 'natural' for composite foods.

Gaur Healthy Food received a notice over claims related to its Silken Tofu product, while MasterChow Foods Pvt Ltd was pulled up for claims including '100 per cent Natural', 'Freshly Made', and references to 'organic flour'. Ferrero India was cited for a 'Rich in Milk Solids' claim on a Kinder Joy-coated wafer biscuit product, and Marico Ltd faced scrutiny over branding and health-related claims associated with its Saffola Total Heart Pro cooking oil.

The regulator also flagged claims by Medizen Labs, Nexa Industries, Raw Pressery, and Nutraceutical's Incipro Gold Powder Vanilla product, as well as a Korean Ginseng nutraceutical product, stating that several health and performance-related claims either required scientific substantiation or were not permitted under existing regulations.

Consumer Complaints Prompt Action Against Bikanervala and Param Dairy

Separately, FSSAI issued notices to Bikanervala and Param Dairy Limited on the basis of consumer complaints received through social media. The notice to Bikanervala relates to alleged hygiene concerns — a complaint claimed that a staff member was consuming food inside a service or kitchen area during operational hours. The company has been asked to furnish details of its investigation, standard operating procedures, and corrective measures taken.

Param Dairy Limited was served a notice over allegations of fungal contamination in dairy-based products — specifically dahi and rabri — reportedly supplied through IRCTC catering services. The company has been directed to provide details of the products supplied, inventory management practices, corrective actions taken, and measures to prevent recurrence.

FSSAI's Broader Message to the Food Industry

This round of notices signals a heightened enforcement posture by FSSAI, which has increasingly used its social media presence on platform X to publicly communicate regulatory actions — a shift that amplifies accountability pressure on FBOs. The action comes amid growing consumer awareness around product labelling and the regulator's stated intent to crack down on unsubstantiated health and nutrition claims. All 14 cited entities have been directed to take appropriate corrective measures and demonstrate compliance with food safety, advertising, and labelling regulations. The regulator has not yet disclosed timelines for responses or potential penalties.