The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India found 32 new cases where food business operators (FBOs) have been prima facie found in violation of misleading advertisements and claims.
FSSAI has referred the matter to licencing authorities concerned to issue notices to these FBOs for withdrawing misleading claims or scientifically substantiating claims. These FBOs include manufacturers and/or marketers of nutraceutical products, refined oils, pulses, flours, millet products, ghee, etc.
According to the food regulator, in order to keep a close tab on the claims and advertisements being made by the FBOs on their products, the Advertisement Monitoring Committee of FSSAI has reported 32 fresh cases that have been found prima facie in contravention of the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Advertisements and Claims) Regulations, 2018.
Under these regulations, deceptive claims or advertisements are prohibited and are punishable offences under Section 53 of the FSS Act, 2006. The food products inspected include a variety of products like health supplements, organic products, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) products, staples, etc., and the claims identified include various health claims, product claims, etc.
FSSAI stated that for further action, including the issuance of notices to the concerned FBOs, the same has been referred to the concerned licencing authorities for issuance of notices to all such FBOs for withdrawing the misleading claims or scientifically substantiating the same.