New Delhi, July 8: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to Lotte India Corporation Private Limited, Kubera Foods and Ferns N Petals Private Limited (FNP) over alleged misleading claims and labelling violations on multiple food products, directing the companies to explain within seven days why action should not be initiated against them under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The food regulator announced the action on Wednesday through a post on social media platform X, stating that the notices were issued after identifying alleged non-compliance with food labelling and advertising regulations across a range of products marketed by the three companies.
According to FSSAI, Lotte India Corporation was found using non-compliant pre-printed labels carrying its previous company name without obtaining prior approval. The regulator also questioned the “100 per cent vegetarian” claim made on certain Choco Pie variants, describing it as misleading.
The regulator further identified deficiencies in the labelling of Lotte’s PEPERO Crunchy Biscuit Sticks Carton and PEPERO Original Biscuit Sticks, stating that the products did not display nutritional information in the format prescribed under applicable regulations.
FSSAI also observed that the company’s Lolly Bliss lollipops did not comply with prescribed vitamin levels under the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations. In addition, it stated that Lotte’s FRUITZ Eclairs products carried a product name that could create a misleading impression because they do not contain fruits, while the mandatory front-of-pack disclaimer required under the regulations was absent.
Kubera Foods was also served a notice over alleged misleading claims relating to its “Soft and Fresh Cream Bun Pineapple” product. According to the regulator, the product displayed front-of-pack claims such as “100 per cent Natural” and “No Preservatives, Colours & Flavours”, despite the ingredient declaration listing preservative INS 282, synthetic food colour INS 110 and added flavouring substances.
The regulator further stated that the use of the terms “Pure”, “Fresh” and “Natural” on the product label violated provisions governing the use of such claims under the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations.
Ferns N Petals Private Limited was also issued a notice over alleged misleading claims and labelling deficiencies concerning its “Roasted Almond Chocolate” product. FSSAI said the product was marketed as “Premium Chocolate” despite containing hydrogenated vegetable fat and without carrying the mandatory declaration required for chocolates containing vegetable fat in addition to cocoa butter.
The regulator also observed that the nutritional information panel on the product did not disclose the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) values. It further noted that the label failed to mention the percentage of almonds used in the ingredient list despite prominently displaying almonds on the packaging.
FSSAI has directed all three companies to submit their explanations within seven days. The regulator said failure to respond satisfactorily may result in action being initiated under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
