The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced its decision to issue notices to three food companies, including Cipzer, Dia Foods, and Heritage Foods Limited. This action is part of a broader initiative to address misleading food labelling and advertisements.

The notices reference alleged violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, alongside the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018. Each company has been instructed to submit a detailed explanation within a period of seven days; otherwise, regulatory action may be pursued.

Cipzer Faces Scrutiny for Health Claims

Cipzer has come under scrutiny for its Nutraceuticals Juice Capsules, with FSSAI claiming that various health assertions made on the product are misleading and lack scientific support. The regulator articulated concerns about the phrase “FSSAI Approved” prominently displayed on the packaging, asserting that this could mislead consumers into believing the product has specific endorsement from the authority. FSSAI clarified that while it issues licences to food businesses, it does not provide endorsements for individual products as suggested by this claim.

Moreover, the allegations include health claims such as “Boost your immune system” and “Remove toxins from your body,” for which FSSAI stated no scientific evidence could be provided to validate these assertions. The packaging further raised concerns due to images of vegetables that were reportedly not included in the actual ingredient list.

This discrepancy has prompted FSSAI to question the nutritional declarations on the label, which mentioned Vitamin C but failed to specify the amount of Vitamin E. Additionally, the minor mention of Vitamin C at just 0.1% lacks the necessary reference to its contribution toward the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA).

FSSAI has also flagged the claim “Made with Organic Vegetables,” indicating that the product is devoid of the necessary organic certification marks, including the Jaivik Bharat logo, rendering this assertion potentially misleading.

Dia Foods Under Fire for Organic Claims

In a separate notice, FSSAI has called into question the claims made by Dia Foods regarding its La Casa Vegan Hazelnut Chocolate Spread. The company is under investigation for marketing statements such as “All Natural,” “100% Organic,” and “Vegan.” According to the regulator, the term “All Natural” does not meet the conditions prescribed under Schedule V for the use of the term “Natural,” implying the potential for consumer misunderstanding.

FSSAI further asserted that the terms “100% Organic” and “Vegan” could imply that appropriate endorsements or certifications had been secured. However, the authority noted that Dia Foods failed to obtain prior approval for its organic food and vegan food claims under its FSSAI licence. Citing an advisory dated May 28, 2026, FSSAI pointed out that the expression “100%” lacks a formal definition under applicable regulations, leading to the classification of the “100% Organic” label as misleading.

Heritage Foods’ Claims Questioned

Heritage Foods Limited has also received a notice regarding the labelling of its Heritage Fresh Paneer. FSSAI contends that the term “Fresh Paneer” does not comply with requirements set out under Schedule V for the use of the term “Fresh.” The language used suggests characteristics that may not align with the regulatory definition of freshness, thereby potentially misleading consumers. The authority also scrutinised the branding that includes the term “Healthy,” which may imply inherent health benefits, violating the regulations stipulated in the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018.

FSSAI’s actions reflect a growing emphasis on accurate food marketing practices and consumer protection. By mandating explanations from these brands, the authority aims to ensure that food labelling is truthful and substantiated by scientific evidence, promoting informed consumer choices. The outcome of these inquiries could result in further regulatory actions if violations are substantiated.

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