What is the Latest FSSAI Action?
In mid-2026, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) intensified its campaign against deceptive food labelling. The regulator issued notices to numerous companies for using misleading terms like "healthy," "organic," and "natural" in their
brand names and marketing. The crackdown targeted products ranging from cooking oils and snacks to bread and beverages, flagging trade names that could give consumers a false impression of health benefits. For example, products named 'Healthy & Tasty' or those with taglines like "Vision to Serve Healthy" came under scrutiny for potentially contravening regulations designed to prevent consumer deception. More recently, in early August 2026, FSSAI took action against alcoholic beverage makers for adding flavours that mimic a product's natural profile and making misleading age claims, further signalling a zero-tolerance approach.
The Problem with Misleading Names
The core issue is consumer deception. When a product is called “Healthy Ragi Chips,” but contains a host of other ingredients, it can mislead buyers. Similarly, a 'Zero Maida Whole Wheat Bread' that contains other wheat components besides whole wheat might not be what the consumer thinks they are purchasing. This extends to categories like plant-based foods and dairy analogues. FSSAI has clarified that terms like "milk," "cheese," or "curd" are reserved for products derived from animal mammary secretions. Therefore, a beverage made from almonds cannot be legally sold as 'almond milk' but should be labelled as a 'plant-based beverage'. The regulator's stance is that using dairy terminology for non-dairy items can mislead consumers about their nutritional composition, as plant-based alternatives often have very different protein and calcium profiles unless fortified.
Beyond the Buzzwords: A History of Deception
This crackdown is not new but an escalation of ongoing efforts. For years, FSSAI has been working to make food labels more transparent. The Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, explicitly prohibit labels that are false, misleading, or likely to create an erroneous impression about a product's true nature. The regulations are designed to force brands to be honest about what's inside the package. The issue is widespread, with the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) noting that a high percentage of digital food ads run afoul of advertising norms. From claims of 'no added sugar' in products sweetened with date syrup to '100% Pure' on items that are not, the marketing language often obscures reality.
How to Be a Smarter Consumer
Protecting yourself in the grocery aisle comes down to vigilance. The front label is for marketing; the back label is for facts. First, ignore the attractive brand name and go straight to the official 'Name of the Food' on the label. This is the product's legal identity. Second, always read the ingredients list. Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, so the first few ingredients make up most of the product. If you see 'sugar' or 'maida' listed first on a product claiming to be healthy, be sceptical. Third, understand the difference between 'Best Before' and 'Expiry Date'. 'Best Before' relates to quality, while 'Expiry Date' relates to safety. Finally, look for the FSSAI license number, which is a mandatory mark of certification. By developing the habit of checking these details, you can see past misleading names and make choices based on facts, not fantasy.
