FSSAI Cracks Down on Food Giants Over Misleading Ads

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued over 150 notices to prominent food companies in recent months for alleged misleading advertisements, false claims, and labelling rule violations. The affected companies include PepsiCo, Coca-Cola India, Abbott India, Red Bull India, Nestle India, Danone India, Monster Energy India, Hell Energy, Mondelez India, Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Ferrero India, Kenvue Inc., and several e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart.

The regulator took action against companies operating in the energy drink and alcoholic beverage segments, with products seized in several cases over alleged violations. The enforcement drive has also extended to e-commerce platforms, with 12 notices issued to Amazon and Flipkart, including the cancellation of one Amazon warehouse's license.

FSSAI also issued more than 30 notices to food service establishments, including big chains like KFC, McDonald's, Domino's, Pizza Hut, and Costa Coffee. Last year, the regulator had issued notices to several five-star hotels over alleged violations.