FSSAI Issues Notices to Zepto and 3 Other Companies Over Food Safety and Misleading Claims
India’s food safety regulator has raised concerns over an expired besan delivery complaint, food labelling, supplement health claims and advertising practices. Here’s what the notices say.
India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to four businesses over alleged food safety, product labelling and misleading advertising issues. The companies named in the notices are Zepto Marketplace Private Limited, Bakelite Food Processing Private Limited, HealthyHey Foods LLP and BMS Lifescience.
The notices highlight concerns about the information provided to consumers on food packaging, the claims made in advertisements and compliance with food safety regulations.
Here is a closer look at the key observations in each case
1. Zepto: Complaint Over Delivery of Expired Besan
FSSAI issued a notice to Zepto Marketplace Private Limited following a complaint alleging that two packets of besan (gram flour) were delivered after their use-by date.
According to the notice, both packets reportedly carried a use-by date of September 12, 2026, indicating that they were past their stated date when delivered, as alleged in the complaint.
The company has been directed to verify the complaint and provide details relating to the order, delivery, warehouse, seller and product.
FSSAI has also asked the company to explain how the incident occurred and outline corrective measures, including the handling of affected stock, customer notification and refunds, where applicable.
The notice requires the company to submit a written response. Further action may follow if the response is unsatisfactory or the company fails to comply with applicable requirements.
2. Bakelite Foods: Questions Over the Name “Cream Roll”
FSSAI also issued a notice to Bakelite Food Processing Private Limited regarding its product, Malpani’s Bake-Lite Puneri Cream Roll, which was offered for sale through e-commerce platforms Blinkit and Zepto.
According to the notice, the product was labelled as a “Puneri Cream Roll” and described as “Crispy & Creamy.”
However, the listed ingredients reportedly included refined wheat flour, hydrogenated vegetable fat, margarine and sugar, without milk, milk fat, cream or other dairy ingredients.
The notice raised concerns about using the word “cream” in the product name and describing the filling as creamy. FSSAI stated that this presentation could mislead consumers about the product’s composition.
The company has been directed to respond within the stipulated period and take necessary corrective action to comply with food labelling and advertising requirements.
3. HealthyHey Foods: Concerns Over Supplement Labels and Health Claims
FSSAI issued a notice to HealthyHey Foods LLP regarding its product, HealthyHey Nutrition Natural Cranberry Extract 25% Capsules.
The regulator identified several potential compliance issues involving product labelling and advertising.
These included discrepancies in food-colour declarations on the product label and company website, concerns about front-of-pack and back-of-pack labelling requirements, and health-related claims used in product promotions.
The notice also raised concerns about claims such as “Supports Urinary Tract Health” and the use of statements implying FSSAI certification or approval in advertisements.
Other observations concerned the product name “Natural Cranberry Extract,” the use of the claim “100% Natural,” and the expression “as directed by healthcare practitioner” on the label.
FSSAI has directed the company to submit a response within the specified period. The concerns relate to compliance with applicable food safety, labelling and advertising regulations.
4. BMS Lifescience: Scrutiny of Cranberry Capsule Claims
BMS Lifescience received a notice concerning its product, HAOG’s Cranberry Urinary Tract Health Capsules.
According to the notice, the regulator identified potential non-compliance in the product label, advertisements and online product listing.
One major concern was that the product was reportedly being marketed and distributed under an expired FSSAI registration certificate.
FSSAI also raised concerns about health-related claims, including statements about urinary tract health, kidney health and the prevention of urinary tract infections. Such claims may be subject to specific regulatory requirements and prior approval, depending on their nature.
The notice further questioned the use of the FSSAI logo in a way that could suggest product certification, endorsement or approval.
Online advertisements were also flagged for potentially misleading claims relating to skin health, weight loss, dental and heart health, kidney function and detoxification.
The company has been asked to respond within the stipulated period. Further regulatory action may follow if the response is not satisfactory.
Why Do These Notices Matter to Consumers?
Food packaging and advertisements play an important role in helping consumers make informed purchasing decisions. People rely on expiry dates, ingredient lists and product claims when choosing what to eat or which supplements to buy.
These cases highlight three important consumer concerns:
Check use-by dates: Always check the date on packaged food, especially when ordering through online delivery platforms.
Read ingredient lists: Product names and descriptions should accurately reflect what a product contains.
Be careful with health claims: Claims about preventing infections, improving kidney function or providing other health benefits should not be accepted without considering the product’s regulatory status and supporting evidence.
Consumers who receive expired or potentially mislabelled products should keep the packaging, order details and relevant photographs as evidence when raising a complaint.
What Happens Next?
The notices direct the companies to provide explanations and, where required, take corrective measures. Depending on their responses and the findings of the regulatory process, further action may be taken under applicable food safety laws and regulations.
It is important to distinguish a regulatory notice from a final finding of liability. The notices identify alleged or potential non-compliance; the final outcome depends on the relevant proceedings and any subsequent regulatory decisions.
Final Takeaway
The action involving Zepto, Bakelite Foods, HealthyHey Foods and BMS Lifescience brings attention to the importance of food safety, accurate product labelling and responsible advertising.
For consumers, the key lesson is simple: check product dates, read labels carefully and treat health-related advertising claims with caution.
For businesses selling food and supplements, clear product information and compliance with applicable regulations are essential to maintaining consumer trust.
This article is based on the FSSAI notices shown in the supplied material. It does not imply that every allegation has been finally established.
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