FSSAI targets brands for hygiene lapses, misleading labelling

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has stepped up its enforcement efforts across the food sector, issuing notices to a string of high-profile brands over alleged hygiene lapses and potentially misleading product names and claims. The twin actions signal a broader regulatory push towards greater accountability in both food safety and packaging communication.
Last week, the food regulator issued separate notices to Nestle India, KFC India and Flipkart following complaints that surfaced on social media. According to reports, the notices were linked to allegations ranging from insect contamination in food products to unhygienic conditions and quality concerns.

The action against Nestle India followed claims that insects were found in a packet of Maggi noodles. Similar complaints regarding hygiene conditions at a KFC outlet and product quality issues involving a food item purchased through Flipkart also attracted regulatory attention. FSSAI said it had taken cognisance of the social media complaints and sought explanations from the companies concerned.

Nestle India denied the allegations, stating that its internal quality assessments and investigations of market samples found no evidence supporting the claims. Flipkart said it had initiated a vendor review and root-cause analysis, while KFC reportedly conducted its own investigation and shared findings with authorities.

However, the regulator’s recent actions extend beyond food safety concerns and into an area of growing importance for the packaging industry: labelling and on-pack communication.

FSSAI has now issued notices to several food business operators (FBOs), alleging that certain brand names, trade names and marketing claims could mislead consumers and may violate provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and related labelling regulations.

The companies named include Healthy Master, Neuherbs True Vitamin, Plan B, The Health Factory, Troovy, Healthy Choice, Emami’s Healthy & Tasty and Health Aid. Notices have also been sent to Organic Wisdom, Shine Organic, Two Brothers Organic Farms, Storia, World of Organic and Iota Water.

In a statement posted on social media, FSSAI said these companies have been directed to strictly comply with established labelling and display regulations to prevent consumer deception.

Several of the notices focus on the use of words such as “healthy”, “organic” and “vegan” in product branding. According to the regulator, names such as Healthy Master, Healthy Choice, Healthy & Tasty and Health Aid may create impressions that are not supported by regulatory definitions or approved claims.

The Health Factory’s “Zero Maida Whole Wheat Bread” and “Zero Maida Pizza Base” have also been questioned, while Troovy’s snack range, marketed with “healthy” descriptors, has come under scrutiny for potentially misleading consumers about the nature of the products.

Neuherbs’ “True Vitamin” branding was flagged because the term is not recognised under FSSAI regulations. Meanwhile, Plan B’s “Plant Based Vegan” positioning was questioned because the company reportedly lacks the required vegan food endorsement under its FSSAI licence.

The regulator also targeted brands using “organic” nomenclature without the necessary certification, Jaivik Bharat logo or organic endorsement.

For packaging professionals, the latest enforcement actions underscore a significant shift in regulatory expectations. Packaging is no longer viewed merely as a container or marketing tool; it is increasingly becoming a compliance document. Every brand name, claim, logo and descriptor printed on a pack is now subject to closer scrutiny.

Taken together, the notices indicate that FSSAI is expanding its oversight from product safety to consumer-facing communication, making it clear that packaging claims must be backed by evidence, approvals and regulatory compliance. As scrutiny intensifies, brand owners, converters and packaging designers may need to work more closely with regulatory teams to ensure that what appears on pack is not only compelling, but also compliant.