FSSAI Launches Tool For Consumers To Report Misleading Claims On Food Products

FSSAI To Meet Ecommerce Execs Over Sale Of Near-Expiry Foods

SUMMARY

FSSAI has added a feature to its Food Safety Connect app enabling consumers to report misleading food labels by submitting images, licence numbers and relevant URLs

Announcing it on X, FSSAI said that the tool “enables consumers to directly report misleading claims made on food product labels”

This move is a part of FSSAI’s larger crackdown on food safety violations, including recent raids and new rules for ecommerce platforms and delivery services

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a new feature in its Food Safety Connect app to let consumers report false or misleading claims on food product labels.

Announcing it on X, FSSAI said that the tool “enables consumers to directly report misleading claims made on food product labels.”

Notably, the tool allows users to submit complaints by uploading images of misleading labels, along with details like FSSAI licence numbers and e-commerce URLs if applicable. Reports can also be filed through the FoSCoS portal.

“The tool facilitates easy submission of essential details such as front-of-pack images highlighting the misleading claim, the FSSAI licence or registration number of the manufacturer, and the e-commerce URL if the product is being sold online,” FSSAI said in a statement.

The recent update builds on existing rules under the 2018 Advertising and Claims Regulations and 2020 Labelling and Display Regulations, which require that food-related claims be clear, honest and backed by science.

The initiative is also tied to the work of FSSAI’s Advertisement and Claims Monitoring Committee, which checks product claims for compliance.

With the latest launch, while FSSAI is banking on public participation to strengthen last-mile oversight and ensure platforms stay compliant, it is also another addition to the series of crackdown FSSAI is eyeing at.

Recently, the agency launched a series of regulatory crackdowns in the Indian food delivery sector. In late 2024, FSSAI raided Zomato’s Hyperpure warehouse and found improperly labelled mushrooms with “future packing dates.”

Soon after, FSSAI rolled out stricter norms for ecommerce platforms — including a ban on listing any seller without valid FSSAI registration and mandatory training for delivery partners in food safety.

Regarding the same, FSSAI also held a meeting with the executives of ecommerce and quick commerce platforms to formulate rigorous food safety norms for the online ecosystem.

Notably, in the past five financial years, about 21,000 consumer complaints against online food delivery apps were registered with FSSAI.