FSSAI Cracks Down on Food Giants Over Misleading Ads and Claims

Major food and beverage companies in India have been issued over 150 notices by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for allegedly making misleading advertisements, false claims, and labelling non-compliances. The list of affected companies includes Nestle India, PepsiCo, Abbott India, Red Bull India, Danone India, Monster Energy India, Hell Energy, Mondelez India, and Coca-Cola India.

Alcoholic beverage and energy drink manufacturers such as Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Ferrero India, and Kenvue Inc. have also faced regulatory action. The FSSAI said it had seized products from several companies as part of its enforcement drive.

The regulator has also issued notices to online marketplaces Amazon and Flipkart, with one Amazon warehouse licence being cancelled for alleged violations. More than 30 notices have been issued to food service establishments, including KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Domino's, and Costa Coffee, with five licences held by Domino's suspended.

Several companies have reportedly taken corrective measures after receiving notices, following scrutiny of advertisements, product claims, and labelling practices. The FSSAI's latest enforcement drive underscores its focus on ensuring that food businesses provide accurate product information and do not make claims that could mislead consumers.