The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to three food brands, including Kubera Foods, Lotte India Corporation Private Limited and Ferns N Petals Private Limited for misleading or inaccurate claims and labelling violations in several food products.
The food safety regulator has asked the companies to explain within seven days why action should not be initiated against them under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the regulations framed under it. The notices cover misleading marketing claims, non-compliant labels and the alleged failure to provide mandatory declarations required under India’s food safety laws.
Lotte India Faces Multiple Allegations
FSSAI has raised concerns about several products sold by Lotte India Corporation Private Limited. The company did, and is allowed to use pre-printed labels with its old company name 'Lotte India Corporation Limited' but has not sought government approval before, the regulator says.
The foods flagged are Lotte Choco Pie with Rich Marshmallow, Lotte Choco Pie Real Orange and Lotte Choco Pie Choco Burst which are all said to be "100% Vegetarian." FSSAI has said that’s not true.
The regulator also noted that PEPERO Crunchy Biscuit Sticks Carton and PEPERO Original Biscuit Sticks do not present nutritional information in the format proposed under the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations.
As well as LOLLY BLISS Lollipop products in Orange, Strawberry and Kaccha Mango flavours were found to be non-compliant with prescribed vitamin levels under the Advertising and Claims Regulations.
Another product, FRUITZ Eclairs, has also been under scrutiny. FSSAI said the name could lead consumers to think the candy is fruit, but no fruit is actually in it. The regulatory agency also said the mandatory disclaimer required for such branding was not on the front of the package.
Ferns N Petals Chocolate Under Scanner
Ferns N Petals received a notice over its “Almond Chocolate” product.
The regulator objected to the front-of-pack claim “Handcrafted Premium Chocolate,” saying that the product contains hydrogenated vegetable fat instead of cocoa butter. Under food safety rules, chocolates containing vegetable fats must clearly state: “Contains Cocoa Butter Equivalent/Vegetable Fat in Addition to Cocoa Butter.” But FSSAI said this was not required.
The authority also found that the nutrition panel of the product did not disclose the Recommended Dietary Allowance (%RDA) values as required under current labelling rules.
In addition, the packaging also shows almonds prominently and is advertised as Almond Chocolate, but the percentage of almonds used has not been disclosed in the ingredients list, which FSSAI says violates labelling regulations.
Kubera Foods Accused of Misleading Claims
Kubera Foods has been served a notice over its “Soft and Fresh Cream Bun Pineapple.”
FSSAI claimed that the product has misleading front-of-pack claims like “100% Natural” and “No Preservatives, Colours & Flavours” even though the ingredients list shows preservative INS 282, synthetic food colour INS 110 and flavouring substances.
According to the regulator, the use of terms “Pure,” “Fresh” and “Natural” is not in line with Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations. The authority also said the “100% Natural” claim violates its advisory to food business operators.
FSSAI has directed all three firms to respond within seven days. The regulator will consider their responses before deciding whether to initiate further action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
