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FSSAI action on FBOs to encourage greater accountability
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Monday, 06 July, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our bureau, Mumbai
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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) latest enforcement action on food business operators (FBOs)underscores FSSAI's increasing focus on ensuring that food labels accurately represent product attributes and that marketing claims are backed by evidence. As regulatory scrutiny intensifies, industry stakeholders believe the move will encourage greater accountability while helping consumers make informed purchasing decisions.
The FSSAI had issued notices to 15 FBOs for allegedly misleading consumers through deceptive brand names, trade names, and exaggerated product claims that violate the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS Act).
The enforcement action targets manufacturers across a wide range of food categories, including vitamins, vegan products, chips, bread, pizza bases, poha, edible oils, and other packaged foods. According to the national food regulator, several companies were found using promotional terms such as "organic," "healthy & tasty," "true," "plant-based," "zero maida," "healthy chips," and "health aid" without meeting the applicable regulatory requirements.
FSSAI stated that certain brand names and trade names had the potential to mislead consumers regarding the true nature of the products. In several cases, the claims made on packaging did not conform to the prescribed labelling regulations, while some terms, including "vegan," were used without complying with the relevant food category requirements. The regulator also observed that products marketed as "healthy" often contained ingredients that could undermine such claims.
"The FBOs are directed to strictly comply with the established labelling and display regulations to avoid consumer deception," FSSAI said in an official statement. Industry experts have largely welcomed the regulator's move, calling it an important step toward strengthening transparency and consumer trust.
Divyashikha Gupta, Founder and CEO of Millwize, said the crackdown marks the beginning of the end for using "healthy" as a marketing buzzword without scientific backing. "The era of using 'healthy' as a mere marketing buzzword is drawing to a close, and rightfully so. FSSAI's crackdown on exaggerated claims like 'zero maida' or 'plant-based' without rigorous compliance is a necessary course correction for the Indian food industry. Consumers are increasingly reading the back of the pack, looking for genuine bio-availability and clean ingredients rather than clever front-of-pack taglines. True wellness brands do not need to rely on loopholes; they substantiate their value through robust in-house R&D, structural transparency, and clean-label standards. This regulatory push will separate superficial marketing from deep, science-backed nutrition," Gupta said.
Echoing similar views, Dr. Prashant Sahni, Assistant Professor at the College of Dairy and Food Technology, Agriculture University, Jodhpur, said the notices reflect a stronger regulatory emphasis on scientific substantiation and transparent communication.
"Descriptors such as 'healthy,' 'organic,' 'plant-based,' or 'zero maida' can significantly influence consumer choices and therefore should be supported by scientific evidence and comply with the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations. Food businesses should adopt a science-based approach while developing product labels and marketing claims to ensure regulatory compliance, protect consumer interests, and strengthen confidence," he said.
Amit Anand, Managing Director of Apis India Limited, also supported the regulator's enforcement drive, stressing the importance of truthful branding.
"Labelling transparency is essential for a sustainable food sector. Terms like 'organic,' 'zero maida,' 'plant-based,' or 'healthy' have significant consumer weight and must reflect verifiable fact rather than marketing aspiration. FSSAI's actions send a clear message that the era of claim-washing is over. At Apis India, we fully support the regulator's efforts to enforce accountability across the board. We believe in responsible and truthful branding as the way to build lasting consumer loyalty," Anand said.
Bhushan Namdeorao Yengade, Founder of Binder Technology Consultancy and National Vice President of CPRTTF, highlighted findings from the consultancy's recent market research, consumer surveys, and food product analysis, which revealed multiple instances of unsupported claims on food packaging.
"A food label is often the first point of communication between a product and the consumer, and therefore it must provide accurate, transparent, and scientifically substantiated information. While marketing strategies may encourage the use of attractive terms and promotional claims, these should always remain within the framework of food regulations. Scientific credibility and regulatory adherence are essential for sustainable growth and responsible food marketing," Yengade said.
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