Maggi, KFC and Flipkart under FSSAI scanner after shocking food complaints

India's food safety regulator has launched inquiries into several widely shared consumer complaints, issuing notices to Nestlé India, KFC, Flipkart and food brand Open Secret over allegations ranging from insect contamination to poor hygiene standards.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said it has taken cognisance of complaints circulating on social media and has sought detailed responses from the companies involved. The regulator clarified that the notices are part of a fact-finding exercise and do not imply guilt or wrongdoing.

FSSAI acts on viral consumer complaints

The regulator's intervention comes as consumer grievances shared online increasingly draw public attention and scrutiny. Rather than relying solely on formal complaints submitted through official channels, authorities appear to be monitoring social media platforms more actively for potential food safety concerns.

The latest notices relate to three separate incidents involving Maggi noodles, a KFC outlet in Andhra Pradesh and an Open Secret product delivered through Flipkart Minutes.

Maggi complaint prompts notice to Nestlé India

One of the notices was issued to Nestlé India following allegations that insects or larvae were discovered inside a packet of Maggi noodles.

FSSAI has asked the company to submit a comprehensive Action Taken Report (ATR), including details of the vendor involved, quality-control records for the specific batch, steps taken to identify the source of the issue, and measures implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The regulator has also sought information regarding any corrective actions taken to remove potentially affected products from the supply chain.

News of the notice weighed on investor sentiment, with Nestlé India's shares falling more than three per cent after the development became public.

Nestlé rejects infestation allegations

Responding to the allegations, Nestlé India strongly denied that its products were contaminated.

A company spokesperson said Nestlé had already submitted a detailed representation to the authorities, supported by quality records, batch samples and laboratory test reports.

According to the company, the complainant has not provided the product sample for examination and remains unreachable. Nestlé further stated that tests conducted on retained batch samples and products sourced from the market showed no signs of infestation.

The company said an FSSAI-accredited laboratory had independently examined the samples and confirmed compliance with quality standards, including the absence of any infestation.

Nestlé maintained that it follows strict food safety and quality assurance procedures across all its manufacturing facilities and expressed confidence that the evidence would establish the facts of the case.

KFC outlet faces scrutiny over hygiene concerns

In a separate case, FSSAI issued a notice to a KFC restaurant located in MVR Mall in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, after allegations surfaced that the outlet was operating under unhygienic conditions.

The regulator has sought detailed information regarding hygiene and sanitation practices at the restaurant. The notice covers food handling procedures, storage conditions, waste disposal systems, pest-control measures and employee hygiene protocols.

Authorities have also asked the operator to provide documentary evidence showing any corrective and preventive measures taken to address the concerns raised.

Devyani International to investigate

Devyani International, one of the largest franchise operators of KFC restaurants in India, acknowledged receiving the notice and said it would investigate the allegations thoroughly.

The company stated that it would examine the claims and submit its representation to FSSAI.

Sapphire Foods, another major quick-service restaurant operator, clarified that the outlet mentioned in the notice is not part of its operations and is instead managed by Devyani International.

Open Secret and Flipkart Minutes also receive notice

The third notice concerns allegations that insects were found inside Open Secret's "Un-junked Dates" product, which was reportedly purchased through Flipkart Minutes.

In this case, FSSAI has requested internal quality-control documentation, batch records and details of actions taken to identify and address the issue.

The regulator has also asked for information on whether any affected products have been withdrawn from distribution channels and what additional safeguards are being introduced to prevent recurrence.

Because the product was reportedly delivered through Flipkart Minutes, both the brand and the platform have come under regulatory scrutiny as part of the inquiry.

Social media complaints increasingly driving regulatory action

The latest developments highlight the growing influence of social media in consumer protection and regulatory enforcement.

Food safety complaints that gain significant public attention online are increasingly prompting authorities to seek explanations from manufacturers, restaurants and delivery platforms.

Industry observers note that regulators are under pressure to respond quickly to viral complaints, particularly when they involve products consumed by large numbers of people.

No findings of wrongdoing yet

FSSAI has emphasised that the notices do not constitute findings of violations or proof of contamination. They are intended to gather facts, review evidence and determine whether further action is necessary.

The companies involved have been asked to provide detailed responses, supporting documents and investigation reports before the regulator decides on any next steps.

The outcome of the inquiries will depend on the evidence submitted by the companies, laboratory findings and any additional investigations carried out by food safety authorities.