Food regulator FSSAI has issued notices to many food businesses, including Bikanervala, Marico Ltd and Param Dairy, for alleged misleading claims about products, labelling violations as well as on consumer complaints.
In a social media post, Food and Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said it has issued notices to several food business operators (FBOs) for violating provisions of the FSS Act, 2006 regarding misleading brand names, trade names, and product claims, labelling violations and other consumer complaints.
One of the notices was issued to Bikanervala following a customer complaint alleging hygiene concerns at a food service and kitchen area. According to FSSAI, a complaint received through social media alleged that a staff member was consuming food inside the service or kitchen area during operational hours.
“This raises concerns regarding hygiene and sanitary practices at the premises,” the regulator said.
FSSAI has asked Bikanervala to provide details of the investigation conducted into the complaint, the standard operating procedures in place regarding employee hygiene and conduct, and the corrective measures taken following the complaint.
The company has also been directed to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) indicating action taken against the concerned personnel, if the allegations are found to be substantiated, and to ensure compliance with hygiene and sanitary requirements under food safety laws.
In a separate case, FSSAI issued a notice to Param Dairy after a consumer complaint alleged fungal contamination in dahi and rabri supplied through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation catering services.
The regulator has sought details of the products supplied, the food business operator from whom the products were procured, and inventory management practices followed to ensure expired food products are not sold or delivered to consumers.
Param Dairy has also been directed to submit an ATR detailing corrective actions taken after the complaint. “Furnish details of action taken against the concerned responsible entity (seller/supplier) and measures implemented to prevent recurrence of such incidents.”
FSSAI also issued a notice to Marico for its product ‘Saffola Total Heart Pro-Multi Source Cooking Oil’.
“The use of the claim ‘Heart Pro’ and heart device imagery appears to extend beyond the nutrient-specific claims provided under Schedule IIA and may create an impression among consumers that consumption of the product itself imparts heart-health benefits,” the authority said.
FSSAI further said that claims such as “Good Fats Balance” and “Losorb for less oil absorption” displayed on the front of the pack need to be scientifically substantiated.
In an official statement, Saffola Oils said, “The Company is in receipt of a show cause notice from the FSSAI with respect to certain claims on the packaging of Saffola Total, which is a niche premium variant of Saffola Oils. Saffola Total is a multi-source edible oil and comes with LOSORB™ Technology, due to which food absorbs less oil as compared to other oils. The oil is also fortified with Vitamins A & D.
We wish to clarify that Saffola Oils remains fully compliant with the prevailing applicable laws. The claims and labelling on Saffola Total are in compliance with the applicable food laws and are scientifically substantiated.
Saffola Oils have been an integral part of millions of Indian households for decades and are labelled and advertised in full compliance with all applicable food safety regulations. We are in the process of filing a detailed reply with the authorities, clarifying all aspects of the notice along with relevant substantiations.”
Another notice was issued to Ferrero India Private Limited over the front-of-pack claim on Kinder Joy stating “Rich in Milk Solids”. The regulator said the claim appears to be misleading.
Other food businesses that received notices include Medizen Labs, MasterChow Foods, Raw Pressery, Nexa Industries and Orville.
The regulator also issued notices to brands including Natural Paneer, Gaur Healthy Food-Silken Tofu, Pluckk Mango Fruit Juice, Korean Ginseng and Incipro Gold Powder Vanilla.
