Food companies across India are revising their product labels after increased scrutiny from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) over potentially misleading claims. Terms such as “healthy”, “natural”, “fresh”, “100%” and “no added sugar” are being removed or replaced with more specific descriptions as brands work to comply with regulatory guidelines.
The changes follow a series of notices issued by FSSAI, directing companies to ensure that product names, packaging, and promotional claims accurately represent the contents of food items. Under the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, labels must not create a false, misleading, or deceptive impression among consumers.
Several brands have already modified their packaging. The Whole Truth removed claims such as “No Added Sugar” and “Natural” from certain products, replacing them with ingredient-based descriptions. Heritage Foods also removed the word “Fresh” from its paneer packaging after regulatory concerns.
FSSAI has also questioned claims such as “Healthy”, “Zero Maida”, and “FSSAI Approved”, stating that such terms may create incorrect perceptions about products. The regulator has further directed companies to avoid using expressions like “100% Pure” and “100% Natural” if they cannot be properly substantiated.
The move highlights FSSAI’s growing focus on consumer awareness and transparency in food marketing. Companies are now reviewing labels, packaging designs, and promotional materials to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and provide clearer information to consumers.
