Healthy promises on the label, but fraud inside, FSSAI issues warnings, companies are cheating customers

News Topical, Digital Desk : When we buy products at the market, most of us assume that the information on the front of the package is truthful. Organic, heart healthy, no added sugar, 100% natural These words give us the impression that we are buying something healthy, but often the ingredients listed on the back of these products tell a different story.

Recently, the country’s food regulator FSSAI issued notices to a number of food brands. But the burning question is how are such products being so readily sold in stores and apps when regulations are in place and warnings have been issued?

The reality behind the claim on the front of the packet

Simultaneously, FSSAI sent notices to a number of companies in June 2026. The complaints were much the same. One mango juice that was labeled “no added sugar” but the ingredients were 51% mango pulp and 39% sugarcane juice. The sweetness was from sugarcane juice.
A brand of noodles advertised as made from 100% natural and organic flour was discovered to be made from plain flour.
One product, tofu, claimed to fight cancer, which is not allowed unless medically approved.
The cooking oil was printed with Heart Pro words and pictures of hearts in a way that the customer would feel that this oil would directly improve heart health.

This is a legal challenge.

The term "100 per cent" is not defined in food laws like the FSS Act and the Advertising and Claims Regulation. This means that if a company uses “100 percent” you have no idea what that 100 percent refers to (purity, fruit quality, naturalness). You cannot claim something that is not clear.

They also asked questions about the children’s favourite Kinder Joy.

Kids' favourite Kinder Joy. The packet says 'Rich in Milk Solids', which tells us it is full of milk. Parents read this and think that at least some milk will go into the child's stomach, but then they flip the packet over. They find sugar and fat and there is very little milk at the bottom. The rule of the list is same here also, the item which is in maximum quantity is written first. FSSAI has exactly pointed this out and said that if milk is not the main ingredient then calling it rich is misleading the customer.

A year earlier a clear warning had already been given.

This isn’t the first time this has occurred. FSSAI issued an official advisory on 28th May, 2025 signed by the Director of Regulatory Compliance. In this letter the regulator made clear that the use of the term “100%” on food packaging and in advertising is increasingly common and misleading. FSSAI says that “100%” whether written alone or with other words, creates a false impression in the consumer of complete purity and superiority. All companies were told to delete the term from labels, packaging and promotions on that basis.

Even after the directive, the market situation did not change.

There is little change in the year since the warning. An investigation found the regulator had identified more than 160 misleading claims at different times, the oldest of which dated from 2022. However, around 120 of the products are still being marketed with the same claims that were previously found to be false. Even when people objected, the packaging did not change. The government’s own Economic Survey 2026 admitted that despite a multitude of regulations against misleading food advertisements, the enforcement is weak. But companies have their own version of the tale, too. They say their cases have been closed after full compliance with the regulations. The cooking oil company has said its claims are legally and scientifically valid and it is giving detailed replies to the regulator.

What rights will customer have?

The FSS Act 2006 forbids any company to mislead its customers for its own benefit. If the packaging says one thing but the contents are something else, this is a violation and can be reported. If a violation is proved, the company will be heavily fined and in serious cases, its license will be cancelled. So, in addition to the grand claims on the front of the package, make it a habit to read the ingredients list on the back of the package. Don't believe the hype of terms like "100%," "natural," "pure" and "healthy."