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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched its biggest and most aggressive nationwide campaign ever to ensure quality, purity and authenticity of packaged food and beverage claims sold across the country. FSSAI has issued show cause notices to more than 150 food business operators in recent months, taking a tough stance against violations of food safety laws, labeling norms and false and misleading claims in advertisements. The regulator has not limited its action to just notices, but after finding serious violations of the rules, it has canceled the license of a warehouse of e-commerce giant Amazon and suspended the licenses of five outlets of the famous pizza chain Domino’s.
Global FMCG giants including Nestle, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola on radar
According to the information made public by the food safety regulator, many big and reputed brands of the country and abroad have come under the scope of this investigation and action.
Mainly in the list of regulator Nestle India, PepsiCo India, Coca-Cola India, Abbott India, Mondelez India, Red Bull India, Danone India, Monster Energy India, Hale Energy, Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Ferrero India and Kenview Inc. Are included. FSSAI has clarified that these notices have been issued in view of the nutritional claims made on the packets of products, misleading promises of being natural and healthy and ignoring the mandatory standards related to labeling. Along with this, the regulator has also seized with immediate effect the products of batches found to be unauthorized and contrary to the rules of many companies.
Special monitoring of energy drinks and alcoholic beverages
According to FSSAI, the most strict monitoring during this entire campaign Energy Drinks and Alcoholic Beverages The burden is being placed on the manufacturers.
Misleading and exaggerated claims regarding energy, stamina and caffeine content are often made in the market to lure the youth. The regulator has clarified that the caffeine level, warning labels and actual ingredients of drinks being sold in the name of non-alcoholic are being strictly scrutinised. Instructions have been given to remove the stock of many energy drink brands violating the rules from the markets.
Crackdown on e-commerce platforms: Amazon’s warehouse license canceled
In the digital era, strict action has been taken against ignoring food safety rules even on online grocery and food delivery platforms.
regulator online marketplace Total 12 notices to Amazon India and Flipkart Have handed over.
Expired products, improper storage conditions and lack of safety standards are found during inspection. License of a major warehouse of Amazon completely canceled Has been done. The regulator has warned online platforms to stop the sale of any unregistered vendor or food items near expiry on their platforms with immediate effect.
Big attack on fast food chains: 5 licenses of Domino’s suspended
The restaurant and quick service restaurant (QSR) segments have also not remained untouched by the regulator’s strict action.
FSSAI has approved the major food service chains of the country—KFC, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Domino’s and Costa Coffee.—More than 30 notices have been issued.
After examining the hygiene standards in the kitchen, the quality of the cooking oil used (Total Polar Compounds – TPC levels) and the use of analogues in the name of paneer and cheese. Food licenses of 5 Domino’s outlets suspended have been done. Earlier last year also, the regulator had conducted surprise checks on the kitchens of many five-star hotels and issued show cause notices to them.
Companies started corrective steps, clear message to customers
The effect of this all-round and strict action taken by the regulator has also started becoming visible. According to FSSAI, after receiving the notice, many leading companies have started taking corrective actions by making changes in their advertisements, removing misleading taglines from packaging and modifying the labeling in line with Indian standards.
Food safety experts say that when a big brand claims its product as ‘100% natural’, ‘pure’ or ‘health booster’, consumers trust it blindly. This strict action by FSSAI will not only protect the health and rights of consumers, but will also strengthen fair and transparent competition in the market.