NEW DELHI: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Monday issued a notice to the brand ‘Heritage Fresh Paneer’ over its use of the claim ‘Fresh Paneer’ on product packaging, saying the label could mislead consumers.In a post on X, the food regulator said it had found the claim to be misleading and directed food business operators to comply with labelling regulations.“The misleading claim ‘Fresh Paneer’ was observed on the product ‘Heritage Fresh Paneer’,” FSSAI said.The regulator added that it had issued notices to several food business operators (FBOs) for violations related to misleading claims and labelling.“FSSAI has issued notices to several food business operators (FBOs) for violating provisions of the FSS Act, 2006 regarding misleading claims and labelling violations. FBOs are directed to strictly comply with the established regulations and to take corrective measures,” it said.The notice was also issued ‘La Casa vegan hazelnut chocolate spread’ over its claim on being ‘vegan’, ‘100% organic’ and ‘all natural’. FSSAI also issued notice to ‘Cipzer Nutraceuticals juice capsules’ over its misleading claims stating that it is ‘FSSAI approved’ and ‘made with organic vegetables’. The latest action comes as FSSAI continues its crackdown on misleading product claims and labelling practices in the food sector.Earlier, the regulator issued notices to several beverage companies for marketing their products as ‘energy drinks’, stating that no standard for ‘energy drinks’ has been notified under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations.The notices were issued to brands including Hell Energy Drink, Adrenaline Rush Energy Drink, Red Bull Energy Drink and Sting Energy Drink over claims that FSSAI said could mislead consumers.The regulator had also clarified that food companies cannot make functional or therapeutic claims such as boosting energy, enhancing focus or helping with general weakness unless such claims are specifically permitted under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the relevant rules and regulations.FSSAI said the recent enforcement measures are aimed at ensuring food products do not carry claims or labels that could mislead consumers or imply regulatory approval where none exists.
