2 hrs ago
FSSAI Expands Dabur Crackdown, Orders Audit of 27 Lines
India’s food regulator is checking many Dabur products and their labels.
It reportedly asked the company to have 27 product lines audited.
The regulator is concerned that some products may be described as having health or medicinal benefits without enough proof.
It asked Dabur for scientific studies and clinical-trial information.
FSSAI also said Dabur had sold an Ayurvedic medicinal oil in the wrong product category.
Dabur told the regulator it would move that product to the Ayurvedic medicine category on shopping websites.
FSSAI had separately objected to labels using phrases such as “100% Pure” and “100% Natural.”
A court temporarily stopped that part of the regulator’s order because Dabur had not been given a chance to respond first.
The broader regulatory review and reported audit request remain part of the dispute.
FSSAI reportedly issued Dabur an August 19 improvement notice covering 27 product lines.
The regulator questioned medicinal claims for cold-pressed oils, apple cider vinegar, honey and wellness products.
FSSAI asked Dabur to provide scientific dossiers and peer-reviewed human clinical trial data for health claims.
The regulator earlier objected to Dabur selling an Ayurvedic proprietary medicinal oil as edible oil and using certain “100%” claims.
The Delhi High Court stayed the order restricting Dabur’s “100%” claims, saying the company had not received a hearing before the directive.
- Who
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and Dabur India.
- What
- FSSAI reportedly expanded its review of Dabur, sought a statutory audit of 27 product lines and challenged certain product claims and classifications.
- Where
- India, including Dabur’s e-commerce and company websites and proceedings before the Delhi High Court.
- When
- A new improvement notice was dated August 19; related actions and court proceedings took place earlier in August, with a hearing listed for August 24.
- Why
- FSSAI said some labels, advertisements, health claims and product classifications could mislead consumers or violate food-safety regulations.
FSSAI’s Position
Dabur’s Position and Court Response
Health and medicinal claims
FSSAI’s Position
FSSAI wants scientific dossiers and peer-reviewed human clinical trial data for Dabur’s health and immunity claims, and asked the company to remove or withdraw claims attributing medicinal benefits to certain products.
Dabur’s Position and Court Response
Dabur is required to respond to the regulator’s concerns; the article does not provide a detailed public defense from Dabur on each health claim.
Product classification
FSSAI’s Position
FSSAI said Dabur was selling an Ayurvedic proprietary medicinal oil as edible oil and required it to be listed under the appropriate Ayurvedic medicine category.
Dabur’s Position and Court Response
Dabur said it directed e-commerce platforms to recategorize the product and was working to make the same change on its own website.
“100%” product claims
FSSAI’s Position
FSSAI said claims including “100% Pure,” “100% Natural,” “100% Purity Guaranteed,” “100% Organic” and “100% Tender Coconut Water” were ambiguous, unverifiable and potentially misleading under the 2018 regulations.
Dabur’s Position and Court Response
Dabur’s senior counsel argued that the order violated natural-justice principles because the company received no show-cause notice or hearing. The Delhi High Court stayed the order, finding a prima facie case for relief.
Key facts
- Regulator
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
- Company
- Dabur India
- Product lines under reported audit
- 27
- Notice date
- August 19
- Claims questioned
- Medicinal, health and immunity claims, including claims involving cold-pressed oils, apple cider vinegar and honey
- Scientific evidence requested
- Scientific dossiers and peer-reviewed human clinical trial data
- Court action
- The Delhi High Court stayed the order concerning Dabur’s “100%” claims
Quotes
FSSAI
India’s food safety regulator
“Following notices from FSSAI, major FBOs have taken prompt corrective actions. Measures range from withdrawing misleading label claims to revising product packaging to ensure consumer safety and compliance.”
livemint.com
A Delhi High Court judge
Judge hearing Dabur’s challenge to the FSSAI directive
“The court is prima facie of the opinion that the prohibitory order ought not to have been passed without giving an opportunity of hearing. Till the next date of hearing, the impugned order is stayed.”
livemint.com
Sources
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