FSSAI warns influencers of legal action over unverified food claims NEW DELHI: From “boosts immunity” to “rich in nutrients”, food claims endorsed by celebrities and social media influencers are now under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) scanner. In a significant move aimed at curbing misleading promotions, the regulator has warned influencers and celebrities that endorsing unverified food claims could invite legal action, even as it cracked down on manufacturers selling unsafe food products.The advisory comes at a time when food brands are increasingly relying on digital creators and celebrities to market health drinks, protein supplements, snacks and packaged foods to millions of consumers online. FSSAI has asked influencers to verify that every claim made by a brand is truthful, scientifically substantiated and compliant with food safety regulations before lending their name or credibility.The regulator said endorsements are more than advertisements because consumers often trust the people promoting them. It cautioned influencers against amplifying claims such as “boosts immunity” or “rich in nutrients” unless they are backed by evidence and permitted under food laws. Misleading food advertisements and endorsements, it said, can attract action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018.Alongside the advisory, FSSAI prohibited the manufacture, sale and distribution of food products made by M/s Shree Shyam Foods, M/s Bharat Food Products and M/s KDP Food Industry after government laboratories found their ghee and mustard oil products unsafe for consumption.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe regulator also penalised Dharwad Mishra Pedha and Food Processing Industry in Karnataka after its Motichoor laddoos were found to contain Tartrazine at 2,670.5 mg/kg, more than 26 times the permissible limit of 100 mg/kg. Shree Chemfood Pvt Ltd of Gujarat was similarly penalised after samples of iodised salt were found to be substandard and misbranded.FSSAI has also urged consumers to report misleading food advertisements and celebrity endorsements through its Food Safety Connect platform.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosThreat Letter Targets Kashmiri Pandits In Kashmir, Employees Asked To Stay Alert Amid Security FearChilling Crash Video: Atiq Ahmed’s Son’s Creta Flips After Losing Control On Highway | WatchUdhayanidhi Backs CM Vijay’s Tamil Nadu Delimitation Stand, Demands No Cut In State’s LS SeatsFCRA Bill Sent To 31-Member JPC Amid Opposition Protests, Akhilesh-Rijiju Clash Over MinoritiesRijiju slams opposition over parliament chaos, says ‘running away from debate’Explained: Why Amritpal Singh’s Party Fielded Son of Indira Gandhi’s Assassin In Punjab Elections?Prashant Kishor Promises Jobs For 10,000 Bankipur Youths After Ending BJP’s 30-Year Hold | WatchIndia’s Map Move Rattles China: What Naming 27 Places In Arunachal Means?Air India Phuket-Delhi Pilot’s Confirmatory Dope Test Reportedly Positive For Marijuana, Sources SayTamil Nadu Assembly Passes Anti-NEET Resolution As DMK, AIADMK And PMK Back Abolition Demand123PhotostoriesBirds that eat snakes: Nature’s unlikely serpent huntersKyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2: From Smriti Irani to Amar Upadhyay, here’s how much the cast earns per episodeBeyond Payasam: Traditional South Indian sweets that deserve a tryPreity Zinta goes full royalcore in an Rs 42,500 fuchsia farshi salwar set for ‘Batwara 1947’ promotionsTaking multiple supplements every day? 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NEW DELHI: From “boosts immunity” to “rich in nutrients”, food claims endorsed by celebrities and social media influencers are now under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) scanner. In a significant move aimed at curbing misleading promotions, the regulator has warned influencers and celebrities that endorsing unverified food claims could invite legal action, even as it cracked down on manufacturers selling unsafe food products.The advisory comes at a time when food brands are increasingly relying on digital creators and celebrities to market health drinks, protein supplements, snacks and packaged foods to millions of consumers online. FSSAI has asked influencers to verify that every claim made by a brand is truthful, scientifically substantiated and compliant with food safety regulations before lending their name or credibility.The regulator said endorsements are more than advertisements because consumers often trust the people promoting them. It cautioned influencers against amplifying claims such as “boosts immunity” or “rich in nutrients” unless they are backed by evidence and permitted under food laws. Misleading food advertisements and endorsements, it said, can attract action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018.Alongside the advisory, FSSAI prohibited the manufacture, sale and distribution of food products made by M/s Shree Shyam Foods, M/s Bharat Food Products and M/s KDP Food Industry after government laboratories found their ghee and mustard oil products unsafe for consumption.
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The regulator also penalised Dharwad Mishra Pedha and Food Processing Industry in Karnataka after its Motichoor laddoos were found to contain Tartrazine at 2,670.5 mg/kg, more than 26 times the permissible limit of 100 mg/kg. Shree Chemfood Pvt Ltd of Gujarat was similarly penalised after samples of iodised salt were found to be substandard and misbranded.FSSAI has also urged consumers to report misleading food advertisements and celebrity endorsements through its Food Safety Connect platform.
