Over 150 notices issued by FSSAI to food, beverage companies over misleading Ads, false claims

New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued more than 150 notices to food and beverage companies, including Nestle India, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola India, over misleading advertisements, false claims and violations of labelling rules.

The food safety regulator said it has stepped up enforcement against food business operators in recent months, targeting violations of food safety laws and regulations.

“Over 150 notices issued for misleading advertisements, false claims & labelling non-compliances,” the FSSAI said in a social media post, listing several major companies against which action had been taken.

The companies named by FSSAI included Nestle India, PepsiCo, Abbott India, Red Bull India, Danone India, Monster Energy India, Hell Energy, Mondelez India, Coca-Cola India, Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Ferrero India and Kenvue.

The regulator said it had also seized products from several companies as part of its enforcement drive, with energy drink and alcoholic beverage makers among those facing action.

FSSAI’s action also extended to online marketplaces. It said it had issued 12 notices to e-commerce companies, including Amazon and Flipkart, and cancelled the licence of one Amazon warehouse.

Food service chains have also come under scrutiny, with more than 30 notices issued to establishments including KFC, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Domino’s and Costa Coffee.

Five licences of Domino’s were suspended, the regulator said.

The enforcement action follows a broader push by FSSAI to tighten compliance with food safety, advertising and labelling requirements. The regulator had also issued notices to several five-star hotels last year.

Earlier this week, FSSAI said several companies had begun corrective measures following notices issued by the regulator. (BVI)