The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken regulatory action against two food business operators after inspections and laboratory assessments identified violations of food safety, licensing, labelling and fortification requirements.
The enforcement actions involve M/s PIE Foods, against which a prohibition order has been issued, and M/s AWL Agri Business Limited, against which an adjudication order and penalty have been imposed.
Prohibition Order Issued Against PIE Foods
FSSAI issued a Prohibition Order against M/s PIE Foods over the sale of Monk Fruit Extract Sweetener and Monk Fruit Sweetener Drops without meeting the required licensing and regulatory requirements.
During an inspection, authorities found cartons of the products carrying the label “Marketed by M/s PIE Foods” without the required Relabeller KoB endorsement in the FSSAI licence. The business was also found to be operating an e-commerce website without the necessary e-commerce KoB endorsement on its licence.
Authorities further observed labelling and advertising-related non-compliances. The products reportedly lacked mandatory declarations and carried claims including “100% Monk Fruit Extract” and “Natural Ingredients.” The company’s e-commerce website also displayed a “Doctor Recommended” claim.
These observations were considered violations of applicable provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, along with the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 and the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018.
As a result, PIE Foods was directed to immediately stop the sale of the affected Monk Fruit products until it obtains a valid FSSAI Central Licence with the required endorsements and secures the necessary approval for the non-specified food ingredient, Monk Fruit Extract.
Adjudication Order Against AWL Agri Business Limited
In a separate enforcement action, FSSAI proceeded against M/s AWL Agri Business Limited, Mangalore, concerning the manufacture and marketing of a substandard fortified edible oil identified as Fortune “Fryola” Refined Sunflower Seed Oil.
A 1-litre sample of the product was collected by FSSAI from Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa, Goa and analysed by the Primary Food Laboratory. The laboratory found that the fortified edible oil did not comply with the prescribed standards under the Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2018.
The reported levels of Vitamin A and Vitamin D were below the prescribed limits, resulting in the product being classified as substandard under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Following an appeal by the marketer, the sample was examined by a referral laboratory. The referral analysis confirmed that the Vitamin D content was significantly below the prescribed range, reaffirming the substandard status of the product.
The Central Licensing Authority subsequently granted sanction for prosecution, following which an adjudication application was filed.
The Adjudicating Officer, Goa, subsequently passed an adjudication order and imposed a penalty on AWL Agri Business Limited for manufacturing and marketing the substandard fortified edible oil under the provisions of the FSS Act, 2006.
FSSAI Steps Up Regulatory Enforcement
The two cases highlight different aspects of food safety enforcement — from licensing, labelling and advertising compliance to mandatory nutritional fortification standards.
FSSAI’s actions underline the importance of food businesses maintaining valid licences and endorsements, complying with mandatory labelling requirements, ensuring that claims made on products and websites are compliant, and meeting prescribed food quality and fortification standards.
Such enforcement measures are aimed at protecting consumers, strengthening regulatory compliance and maintaining confidence in India’s food safety ecosystem.
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