FSSAI Bars Dabur from Selling Products with '100%' Claims
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The FSSAI has prohibited Dabur India from selling several food products carrying '100 per cent' claims, calling them misleading. This is part of a broader crackdown on deceptive food labelling and advertising, and Dabur is reviewing the notice.
Background
The FSSAI regulates food safety and standards in India under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The Food Safety and Standards (Advertising & Claims) Regulations, 2018, govern claims made on food labels. The regulator has been increasingly active in enforcing these rules.
Key facts
FSSAI issued a prohibition order to Dabur India Ltd over products with claims like '100% Natural', '100% Pure', '100% Purity Guaranteed', '100% Organic', and '100% Tender Coconut Water'.
Products covered include honey, cow ghee, edible oils, apple cider vinegar, virgin coconut oil, sesame oil, coconut water, coconut milk, and other food items.
The claims were found on the company's website and were deemed 'ambiguous, unverifiable and likely to mislead consumers'.
The order cites violation of the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising & Claims) Regulations, 2018.
Dabur Himalayan Organic Apple Cider Vinegar and Dabur Organic Honey displayed the Jaivik Bharat logo without a valid FSSAI organic endorsement.
Dabur Hommade Coconut Milk was marketed with '100% Purity', which is not permitted for compound food products.
FSSAI had earlier issued a notice to discontinue the claims, but no satisfactory corrective action was taken.
Dabur has been directed to immediately prohibit sale of identified products and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within 15 days.
Dabur India said it is reviewing the notice and checking the content on its website.
Prelims pointers
- FSSAI: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- Food Safety and Standards (Advertising & Claims) Regulations, 2018.
- Jaivik Bharat logo: for organic food products, requires FSSAI organic endorsement.
- FSSAI is a statutory body under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- The Act: Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- Regulator's enforcement powers include prohibition orders and action taken reports.
Mains angles
- GS2: Role of regulatory bodies in consumer protection and food safety.
- GS3: Issues of misleading advertising and its impact on consumer rights.
- GS3: Challenges in enforcing food labelling standards in India.