FMCG major Dabur India Limited has approached the Delhi High Court challenging a prohibition order issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that directed the company to stop the sale of certain food products carrying allegedly misleading “100 per cent” claims.
The matter was mentioned before a Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia on Thursday for urgent listing. The court accepted the request and allowed the petition to be taken up on an urgent basis.
The petition was filed days after the food regulator issued the prohibition order against Dabur over product labels featuring claims such as “100 per cent Natural”, “100 per cent Pure”, “100 per cent Purity Guaranteed”, “100 per cent Organic” and “100 per cent Tender Coconut Water”.
According to FSSAI, such claims were ambiguous, difficult to verify and could mislead consumers, allegedly violating provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018.
The regulator also raised objections over the use of the Jaivik Bharat logo on products including Dabur Himalayan Organic Apple Cider Vinegar and Dabur Organic Honey, stating that these products did not have valid FSSAI organic endorsement. It further alleged that Dabur Hommade Coconut Milk carried the “100 per cent Purity” claim, which is not permitted for compound food products.
FSSAI stated that Dabur had failed to take satisfactory corrective measures despite an earlier notice and directed the company to immediately halt the sale of the identified products and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within 15 days.
Following the regulatory action, Dabur had maintained that its product labels were compliant with existing laws and regulations and aligned with established industry practices.
In regulatory filings with the BSE and NSE, the company said it stood by the quality, purity and safety of its products and had never made any misleading claims.
Dabur further stated that it follows strict food safety and regulatory compliance standards in manufacturing and selling its products. The company clarified that the impact of the FSSAI order was limited only to the products mentioned in the regulator’s communication.
The company had earlier said it was seeking legal advice on the matter, following which it has now moved the Delhi High Court.
FOLLOW NOW
