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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken a very strict stance regarding the health and food safety of consumers in the country’s packaged and processed food sector. The regulatory body has served show-cause notices to the country’s two leading FMCG multinational companies—Nestle India and Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL)—over alleged violations of food safety standards, misleading advertisements and labeling rules. This prompt action by the food safety regulator has intensified the turmoil in the processed food industry and retail market. From the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) office in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, to the Delhi headquarters, food safety officials are busy investigating the quality, added sugar, sodium and nutrition claims of packaged products.
According to regulatory sources, FSSAI has taken this step after it came to light between the nutritional claims made on the labels of products and their actual chemical composition. The notice mainly seeks replies on these points:
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Misleading Health Claims: Despite big claims on the packaging like ‘healthy’, ‘natural’ or ‘immunity booster’, products are found to contain high amounts of added sugar, preservatives and saturated fat.
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Violation of Front-of-Pack Labeling (FOPNL): Accused of not displaying accurate nutritional information on the main packaging and obscuring hidden sugars (such as maltodextrin, corn syrup) in the ingredients list.
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Baby food and health drinks controversy: Clarification has been sought on complaints of adopting different formulations for the Indian market compared to international standards in cereals, malt-based drinks and ready-to-eat snacks made specifically for children.
Nestle India has been questioned over the amount of added sugar in baby food and breakfast cereals and double standards of international guidelines. The regulator has asked the company to clarify whether the level of sucrose and refined sugar in the products is in compliance with the prescribed standards and whether the same is correctly disclosed to consumers on the label.
Meanwhile, Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has been issued a notice over sodium (salt), artificial flavors and misleading advertising claims in its packaged food portfolio—which includes soups, noodles, sauces and health drinks. The regulator has directed the companies to submit detailed affidavits within 15 days along with the terminology used in their packaging, lab testing reports and nutritional breakdown.
FSSAI has clarified that if the response given by the companies is not found satisfactory within the stipulated time limit, then legal action can be taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006:
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Product Recall: Specific batches that violate the standards can be recalled from supermarkets and grocery stores by immediately stopping their sale.
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Heavy fines and ban on advertising: Under Sections 52 and 53 of the Food Safety Act, misleading advertisements and sub-standard labeling can attract a fine of up to ₹10 lakh and a warning of license cancellation.
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Mandatory amendments in labeling: Companies could be legally ordered to modify the font size, ingredient lists and warning labels of their product packets.
After receiving the notice, spokespersons of both the major FMCG companies have said in initial statements that they strictly comply with all the domestic guidelines and legal regulations of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The companies say they are reviewing the regulator’s notice and will submit all scientific evidence, lab reports and clarifications to the authority within the stipulated time frame. The companies reiterated that consumer health and quality has always been their top priority.
Food safety experts and dermatologists/dietitians say consumers should not rely solely on attractive claims written on the front cover when purchasing packaged foods:
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Take a look at the ingredient list: The ingredients listed first in the ingredients list on the back of the packet have the highest quantity in the packet. If ‘sugar’, ‘palm oil’ or ‘flour’ is written in the first three ingredients, then that product is not suitable for daily health.
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Understand the mathematics of Per Serving size: Many times companies show the nutritional value per 15-20 gram serving instead of per 100 gram serving, which makes the sugar and sodium content appear lower. Match calories and fat according to total amount.
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FSSAI License Number and Complaint: A 14 digit FSSAI license number is mandatory on every food product. If the quality of the product seems questionable, consumers can lodge a complaint directly on FSSAI’s ‘Food Safety Connect’ mobile app or the National Consumer Helpline (NCH).