Now Reading: FSSAI warns influencers over unverified food claims
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FSSAI warns influencers over unverified food claims
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has warned celebrities and social media influencers that endorsing unverified food claims could invite legal action. It asked them to ensure claims such as…
The Story in Brief
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has warned celebrities and social media influencers that endorsing unverified food claims could invite legal action. It asked them to ensure claims such as “boosts immunity” and “rich in nutrients” are truthful, scientifically supported and allowed under food safety rules.
FSSAI also prohibited the manufacture, sale and distribution of ghee and mustard oil made by three companies after government laboratories found the products unsafe. A Karnataka food processor was penalised after laddoos contained Tartrazine at 2,670.5 mg/kg, over 26 times the permitted limit. Gujarat-based Shree Chemfood was penalised over substandard and misbranded iodised salt. Consumers can report misleading promotions through Food Safety Connect.
The Indian Opinion
The easy narrative is that influencers are merely paid entertainers, or that every food claim is harmless marketing. Neither holds when consumers treat celebrity endorsements as trusted advice. The regulator’s warning is useful, but enforcement must not stop at notices to creators. Brands, agencies and manufacturers should face clear accountability too. The practical test is whether future investigations lead to penalties and corrections when claims lack scientific evidence.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
