Why is FSSAI tightening the rules on food claims?, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has intensified its crackdown on misleading advertisements and false claims by food companies.
• Over 150 notices have been issued to major packaged-food and beverage companies for labelling non-compliance and unsubstantiated claims.
• Mondelez India withdrew certain health and nutrient-comparison claims for Bournvita following an FSSAI notice.
• FSSAI has advised food businesses to stop using absolute-sounding words like "100%" on labels and promotional material to prevent conveying a false sense of purity.
• The regulatory scrutiny has been extended to e-commerce platforms and food-service establishments, not just physical product packaging.

Detailed Insights:

• The action against Bournvita specifically targets whether health or nutrient-comparison claims are adequately supported by evidence.
• The FSSAI's concern with terms like "100%", "pure", and "natural" stems from their potential to mislead consumers and influence purchasing decisions.
• Companies like Amway India and Juza Foods have also taken corrective actions regarding their product claims and descriptors.
• This regulatory push is part of a broader campaign by FSSAI to promote healthier eating habits and combat rising concerns over obesity in India.
• The challenge for FSSAI is to ensure sustained compliance rather than temporary responses from companies to regulatory scrutiny.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): A statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, responsible for regulating food safety in India.
• Misleading Advertisements: Promotional content that deceives consumers about the nature, characteristics, or benefits of a product.
• Labelling Non-compliance: Failure to adhere to prescribed rules and standards for information displayed on food product packaging.