3 weeks ago
FSSAI orders PIE Foods to halt monk fruit sweetener sales
In India, a group called FSSAI makes sure the food people eat is safe.
It checks that food companies follow rules about licences, labels, and ads.
FSSAI found that a company called PIE Foods was breaking some of those rules.
PIE Foods sells sweeteners made from monk fruit.
The company did not have the right permissions written in its food licence.
It also sold its products through a website without the needed permission.
The labels on its products were missing information that the law requires.
The labels also made claims like '100 per cent Monk Fruit Extract', and its website said 'Doctor Recommended'.
FSSAI told PIE Foods to stop selling these sweeteners right away.
The company can only sell them again after getting a proper licence and approval.
FSSAI issued a prohibition order directing PIE Foods to immediately stop selling its Monk Fruit Extract Sweetener and Monk Fruit Sweetener Drops.
An inspection found the products were being marketed without a valid relabeller endorsement in PIE Foods' FSSAI licence.
PIE Foods was operating an e-commerce website without the required e-commerce business endorsement in its licence.
The product labels lacked mandatory declarations and carried claims such as '100 per cent Monk Fruit Extract' and 'Natural Ingredients', while its website displayed 'Doctor Recommended'.
FSSAI also issued an Adjudication Order against AWL Agri Business Limited for manufacturing and marketing a substandard fortified edible oil.
- Who
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the country's food regulator, and PIE Foods, the company marketing monk fruit sweetener products.
- What
- FSSAI issued a prohibition order directing PIE Foods to immediately discontinue the sale of its Monk Fruit Extract Sweetener and Monk Fruit Sweetener Drops over licensing, labelling and advertising violations.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- When
- Friday, the day FSSAI announced the prohibition order.
- Why
- The products were marketed without valid licence endorsements, labels lacked mandatory declarations, and claims such as '100 per cent Monk Fruit Extract' and 'Doctor Recommended' appeared to violate labelling and advertising regulations.
Key facts
- Regulator
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
- Company
- PIE Foods
- Products affected
- Monk Fruit Extract Sweetener and Monk Fruit Sweetener Drops
- Action
- Prohibition order to immediately discontinue sale of the two products
- Legal basis
- Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
- Regulations cited
- Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020; Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018
- Key violations
- No valid relabeller endorsement, no e-commerce business endorsement, missing label declarations, unapproved advertising claims
- Conditions to resume sales
- Valid FSSAI Central Licence with required endorsements and regulatory approval for monk fruit extract, treated as a non-specified food ingredient
- Other enforcement action
- Adjudication Order against AWL Agri Business Limited for substandard fortified edible oil; earlier suspension of Switz Foods Private Limited's licence
Sources
Related news
FSSAI Notices Prompt Food Firms to Withdraw Misleading Claims
Delhi High Court stays FSSAI ban on Dabur's '100%' claims
FSSAI Cracks Down as Bournvita Withdraws Health Claims
FSSAI Notices Push Food Firms to Withdraw Misleading Claims
Mumbai FDA Suspends Two Food Licences, Flags Two More
India’s Proposed Food Warning Labels Face Health, Industry Backlash
FSSAI Chief Backs Mundhe’s Maharashtra Food Safety Drive
Egg prices surge 10-50% in six months, consumers concerned about adulteration
Cockroach Allegedly Spotted On Dessert Plate At Virar Restaurant
