FSSAI Widens Crackdown, Issues Notices To Lotte India, Ferns N Petals Over Misleading Claims
FSSAI issued show-cause notices to Lotte India, Ferns N Petals and Kuberra Foods over misleading labelling like '100% Vegetarian', 'Premium Chocolate' and 'Natural'. Firms have seven days to respond under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, as the regulator intensifies scrutiny of packaged food marketing.
What happened
FSSAI issued show-cause notices to Lotte India, Ferns N Petals and Kuberra Foods over misleading labelling and claims like '100% Vegetarian', 'Premium
Key facts
- seven days
- Food Safety and Standards Act 2006
Why this matters
Treat labelling-compliance exposure as a live diligence item in any F&B target, since unresolved show-cause notices under the FSS Act 2006 could surface as remediation liabilities or brand-value discounts.
What to watch
- FSSAI issuing additional show-cause notices to other brands
- Formal penalty orders or fines if responses deemed inadequate
- Publication of tightened labelling guidelines or FAQs by FSSAI
- Voluntary label changes announced by unnamed competitors
- Media amplification framing brands as consumer-deception cases
- Named firms file responses and begin packaging redesign within notice window
- Legal and regulatory teams audit existing claim inventory for similar exposure
- Marketing pivots to substantiated or qualified claims (e.g., 'vegetarian' with FSSAI mark)
- Industry bodies seek clarity guidance from FSSAI on acceptable descriptors