Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare addressed concerns regarding misleading labeling practices by beverage companies, specifically regarding fruit drinks. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has implemented labeling regulations to prevent such practices. Penalties are imposed for violations, and awareness campaigns are underway to educate consumers.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Labeling Regulations:**
* Food packages must clearly indicate the true nature of the food on the front of the pack.
* Claims must be truthful, unambiguous, meaningful, and not misleading.
* For mixed foods, the percentage of each ingredient must be declared on the label.
* **Enforcement and Penalties:**
* Penalties are imposed for misbranded food and misleading labeling under Sections 52 and 53 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
* Violations are treated as civil offenses and adjudicated accordingly.
* In 2022-23, 177,511 samples were analysed, with 44,626 found non-conforming, leading to 28,464 cases launched.
* In 2023-24, 170,513 samples were analysed, with 33,808 found non-conforming, leading to 29,586 cases launched.
* In 2024-25, 170,535 samples were analysed, with 34,388 found non-conforming, leading to 30,142 cases launched.
* **Awareness Campaigns:**
* FSSAI runs the "Har Label Kuch Kehta Hai" social media campaign.
* Campaigns educate consumers on nutritional information, ingredients, and allergen warnings.
* Label awareness activities are conducted at exhibitions and fairs.
Impact Analysis:
* **Beverage Companies:**
* *Impact:* Required to adhere to strict labeling norms to prevent misleading advertising. Subject to penalties for non-compliance.
* *Action Required:* Ensure accurate and truthful labeling of products, including clear indication of ingredient percentages.
* **Consumers (Especially Children and Parents):**
* *Impact:* Benefit from increased transparency in food labeling, enabling informed choices.
* *Action Required:* Engage with awareness campaigns to understand food labels and differentiate between real fruit juice and artificially flavored drinks.
* **Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for enforcing labeling regulations and conducting awareness campaigns.
* *Action Required:* Continue monitoring and penalizing violations, and expand educational initiatives to reach a wider audience.
Key Entities Referenced
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): An authority that implements strict labelling norms and is responsible for food safety and standards in India.
Food Safety and Standards Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020: Regulations notified by the FSSAI that specify requirements for food labeling, including the name of the food and ingredient lists.
Food Safety and Standards Advertising and Claims Regulations, 2018: Regulations that specify that claims on food products must be truthful, unambiguous, meaningful, and not misleading.
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: The Act under which penalties are imposed for misbranded food and misleading labeling claims.
Sections 52 and 53 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: These sections pertain to the imposition of penalties for misbranded food and misleading labeling claims, respectively.
HarLabelKuchKehtaHai: A social media awareness campaign run by FSSAI to empower citizens with label literacy.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for health and family welfare policies.
Shri Prataprao Jadhav: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3364
TO BE ANSWERED ON8THAUGUST, 2025
STRICT LABELLINGNORMS
3364.THIRU D M KATHIRANAND:
Will the Ministerof HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) whether Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has implemented strict
labelling norms to prevent beverage companies from misleadingly advertising low-pulp
reconstitutedfruit drinksas “100% juice” or using deceptivevisuals;
(b) if so, the numberof violationsreported andpenaltiesimposed since 2023;
(c) whether the Government is likely to mandate the display of actual fruit or pulp content
percentageonthe front of beverage labelsandif so, the detailsthereof; and
(d) the awareness campaigns undertaken by the Government to educate consumers,
particularly children and parents, about the difference between real fruit juice and artificially
flavoureddrinks?
ANSWER
THE MINISTEROFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY
WELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) & (b): The sub-regulation 5(1) of chapter- 2 of Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and
Display) Regulations, 2020 notified by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
specifies that: “The Name of Food: Every package of food shall carry name of the food which
indicate the true nature of the foodcontained inthe package,onthe Front of Pack.”
The sub-regulation 4(1) of Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations,
2018 specifies thatClaims must be truthful, unambiguous, meaningful, not misleading and help
consumers tocomprehendthe information provided.
In cases of labelling defects and other related contraventions, penalties are imposed as
per the provisions laid down under Sections 52 and 53 of the Food Safety and Standards Act,
2006. These sections pertain to the imposition of penalties for misbranded food and misleadinglabelling/claims, respectively. Such violations are treated as civil offences and are adjudicated
through the adjudication mechanism provided under the FSS Act. Details of the action taken
against the defaultingFoodBusiness Operators for non-complianceincludingLabellingdefects/
Misleading inthe last 3yearsare at Annexure-I.
(c): The sub-regulation 5(2) of chapter- 2 of FoodSafety andStandards(Labelling andDisplay)
Regulations, 2020 specifies that ‘Except for single ingredient foods, a list of ingredients shall
be declared on the label which interalia includes the ingoing percentage of an ingredient
(including compound ingredients or categories of ingredients), by weight or volume as
appropriate, at the time of manufacture, shall be disclosed for foods sold as a mixture or
combination.
(d): FSSAIruns a social media awareness campaign,"#HarLabelKuchKehtaHai" to empower
citizens with label literacy for informed choices. Through engaging contents, infographics
and videos, the social media posts educate consumers on key elements like nutritional
information (calories, fats, sugars, protein, serving size), ingredient lists, allergen warnings
and date markings. Label awareness activities (through Display Board, Nukkad Natak, etc.)
are also conducted in various Exhibitions (like - IITF, AAHAR) and Fairs (like - Food
Festival,EatRight Mela, etc).
*******AnnexureI
DetailsoftheEnforcementforlast3years(includingFruitDrinks)
No.ofSamplesfoundnon-
No.ofSamples
Year conforming No.ofCaseslaunched
Analysed
2024-25 1,70,535 34,388 30,142
2023-24
1,70,513 33,808 29,586
2022-23
28,464
1,77,511 44,626