The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Thursday launched a major enforcement drive against food business operators (FBOs), taking action against multiple companies over misleading health claims, non-compliant labelling, food safety violations and hygiene lapses. The regulator issued prohibition orders against certain products, ordered the recall of a batch of raisins found unsafe due to excessive pesticide residues and warned that further legal action would follow in cases of non-compliance.
In a
series of posts on social media platform X, FSSAI said the enforcement measures include prohibition orders, suspension of licences and prohibition of sale against erring businesses as part of its efforts to safeguard consumer interests.
Prohibition Order against 'FOLINEURO Syrup'
Among the key actions, FSSAI issued a prohibition order against Vatave Health Care over the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of its product, 'FOLINEURO Syrup – Folinic Acid Syrup'.
According to the regulator, the trade name 'FOLINEURO', coupled with the image of a brain displayed prominently on the front label, creates a misleading impression that the product is intended to improve or support brain and neurological functions.
FSSAI also found that the product had been classified as a 'Nutritional Food Supplement', a category that does not exist under the Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals) Regulations, 2016.
The regulator said that, based on the complaint received, examination of the product label, licence details and other available records, the product prima facie failed to comply with provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Consequently, FSSAI prohibited the manufacture, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, marketing and sale of the product with immediate effect and warned that any violation of the order would invite strict legal and penal action.
Sale of 'Neuherbs TRUE VITAMIN' Prohibited
In another enforcement action, FSSAI prohibited the sale of 'Neuherbs TRUE VITAMIN', marketed by Global Healthfit Retail India Private Limited, over what it described as misleading branding.
According to the regulator, the trade name 'TRUE VITAMIN' is not recognised under existing food safety regulations and has the potential to mislead consumers regarding the nature and efficacy of the product.
FSSAI said the branding violated the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018, as well as the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020.
The regulator directed the company to immediately stop selling the product, remove the misleading claims from product labels and advertisements and submit an action taken report within 30 days. It warned that failure to comply would result in further regulatory action.
'Wonderland Raisins' Recalled over Pesticide Residues
The regulator said the recall was initiated after a regulatory sample collected by the central food safety officer (CFSO) of FSSAI's northern region office failed to comply with standards specified under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.
The sample was subsequently declared unsafe by both the National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad and the Referral Laboratory at NIFTEM-K, which confirmed that pesticide residues exceeded the maximum permissible limits.
Following these findings, the competent authority directed the company to immediately recall the entire affected batch in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards (Food Recall Procedure) Regulations, 2017.
"A recall order has been issued to Sun Organic Industries Private Limited after regulatory samples of Wonderland Raisins were found unsafe due to pesticide residues exceeding the prescribed limits," FSSAI said.
Companies Directed To Implement Corrective Measures
Apart from recalling the affected batch, FSSAI directed Sun Organic Industries to submit recall information and periodic status reports, maintain complete records of recovered products and implement corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in future.
The regulator said the recall had been initiated under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which empowers it to order the withdrawal of food products found unsafe for human consumption.
Consumer Protection Focus
The latest enforcement action forms part of FSSAI's broader efforts to strengthen regulatory compliance across the food sector and curb misleading health claims and unsafe food products in the market.
By targeting misleading product branding, non-compliant labelling and food products that fail safety standards, the regulator aims to strengthen consumer protection and ensure that food business operators comply with the requirements of the Food Safety and Standards Act and related regulations.
