New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to Lotte India Corporation Private Limited, Kubera Foods and Ferns N Petals (FNP), alleging multiple violations related to food labelling, packaging declarations and product promotion. The companies have been directed to submit their explanations within seven days, failing which the regulator may initiate action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The move follows regulatory scrutiny of several packaged food products, during which FSSAI said it detected issues ranging from questionable product descriptions and missing mandatory disclosures to nutritional labelling gaps and the use of promotional terms that may not comply with food safety regulations.

Lotte India faces multiple observations

Among the three companies, Lotte India was pulled up over several products.

FSSAI said the company used pre-printed packaging carrying its previous corporate name without obtaining prior approval. It also questioned the use of a "100% vegetarian" label on certain Choco Pie variants, saying the representation could mislead consumers.

The regulator further observed that nutritional information on PEPERO Crunchy Biscuit Sticks Carton and PEPERO Original Biscuit Sticks was not presented in the prescribed format. In the case of Lolly Bliss lollipops, the declared vitamin content was found to be inconsistent with limits specified under the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations.

Another observation related to FRUITZ Eclairs. According to FSSAI, the product name could lead consumers to believe the confectionery contains fruit, even though it does not. The notice also pointed out that the mandatory front-of-pack disclaimer required in such cases was missing.

Kubera Foods questioned over packaging descriptions

Kubera Foods was served a notice over its Soft and Fresh Cream Bun Pineapple product.

According to FSSAI, the front of the pack described the product as "100% Natural" and stated that it contained no preservatives, colours or flavours. However, the ingredient list reportedly mentioned preservative INS 282, synthetic colour INS 110 and added flavouring substances.

FSSAI also observed that the use of descriptors such as "Pure", "Fresh" and "Natural" appeared to be inconsistent with the declared ingredients and could violate the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations.

Ferns N Petals' chocolate product also under scrutiny

Ferns N Petals received a notice over its Roasted Almond Chocolate product.

According to the regulator, the product was marketed as "Premium Chocolate" despite containing hydrogenated vegetable fat without carrying the mandatory declaration required for chocolates made with vegetable fat in addition to cocoa butter.

FSSAI also identified shortcomings in the product's nutritional labelling. The authority said the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) values were not disclosed in the nutrition panel. It further noted that although almonds were prominently highlighted on the packaging, the label did not specify the percentage of almonds used in the product.

FSSAI has asked all three companies to furnish their explanations within seven days. The regulator said appropriate action may be initiated under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, if the responses are not received within the stipulated period or fail to satisfactorily address the observations.

With IANS inputs