India’s food safety regulator has issued notices to major e-commerce companies over misleading claims about rice bran oil, while taking action against other food businesses for licensing and hygiene violations.
Highlights
- FSSAI issues notices to Flipkart India, BigBasket and Gemini Edibles & Fats India.
- Companies face scrutiny over misleading cholesterol and heart-health claims.
- Freedom Cooking Rice Bran Oil was promoted with allegedly unapproved health claims.
- Gemini Edibles flagged for selling food products online without a valid licence.
- DNV Food Products’ licence suspended over unhygienic conditions.
FSSAI Acts Against Flipkart, BigBasket Over Misleading Health Claims, Food Safety Violations
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken action against several food businesses, including Flipkart India, BigBasket and Gemini Edibles & Fats India, over alleged violations of food safety regulations and misleading health claims.
According to a Financial Express report dated October 16, the regulator has issued show-cause notices to these companies over promotional claims related to Freedom Cooking Rice Bran Oil.
Misleading Health Claims on Rice Bran Oil
FSSAI found that Freedom Cooking Rice Bran Oil was being promoted on e-commerce platforms and social media with claims suggesting health benefits.
These included statements such as “reduces bad cholesterol and maintains/increases good cholesterol” and references to “10,000+ PPM Natural Oryzanol.”
The promotions linked consumption of the oil with cholesterol management and improved heart health.
However, FSSAI said these cholesterol-related and heart-health claims were not permitted under the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018, applicable to edible vegetable oils.
The regulator has asked the companies to explain why action should not be initiated against them under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Gemini Edibles Faces Licensing Questions
FSSAI also raised concerns about Gemini Edibles & Fats India selling food products through its own e-commerce website.
According to the regulator, the company did not appear to have a valid central licence covering its e-commerce operations.
The company has been served a notice seeking clarification regarding the alleged licensing violation.
DNV Food Products’ Licence Suspended
In a separate action, FSSAI suspended the licence of DNV Food Products with immediate effect.
The regulator found that food products were being manufactured, packed and stored under unhygienic conditions.
The violations were related to hygiene, sanitation and storage practices.
Jhanvittanni’s Licence Cancelled
FSSAI also cancelled the licence of food business operator Jhanvittanni after finding that the company continued operating despite an earlier suspension.
The regulator said the corrective measures submitted by the company were unsatisfactory and several violations remained unresolved.
Delhi Radisson Blu Receives Hygiene Notice
In another development, FSSAI issued an improvement notice to Radisson Blu Hotel in Delhi over food safety and sanitation concerns.
The regulator identified several shortcomings, including poor sanitation, pest activity, inadequate food procurement checks and improper segregation of food items.
It also highlighted stagnant water, inadequate cleaning and drainage problems involving food waste.
The hotel has been directed to take corrective measures and submit a detailed action-taken report.
FSSAI warned that failure to comply could result in further regulatory action, including suspension of its licence.
The actions underline the regulator’s focus on misleading food advertisements, licensing compliance and hygiene standards across India’s food industry.
