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New Delhi, May 1, 2025 – The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has told the Delhi High Court that Dabur’s use of the term “100% fruit juice” on its packaging is not permitted under current food safety regulations, calling the claim “misleading” to consumers. This development was revealed in an affidavit submitted by FSSAI and reviewed by Moneycontrol.
FSSAI: Numerical Claims Like ‘100%’ Not Recognised
According to the affidavit, FSSAI argued that numerical descriptors such as “100%” are not recognised under the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018. The regulator stressed that such claims could give consumers a false impression about the product’s composition, especially when the juice is reconstituted from concentrate or contains added water.
The affidavit further cited the scientific panel on Labelling and Claims/Advertisements (SP-08), which, during its 47th and 49th meetings, concluded that such claims violate Regulation 2.3.6 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.
Dabur’s Response: ‘100%’ Labeling is Justified
Dabur, the maker of the Real range of fruit beverages, has contested the FSSAI directive, claiming that the regulator’s interpretation of the rules is legally unsound. The company argued that its reconstituted juices, such as Real Activ, are produced by adding water to fruit concentrate, thereby restoring the natural juice composition without added sugar. Dabur maintains that this process complies with FSSAI standards and justifies the “100% Fruit Juice” label.
Regulatory Action and Legal Battle
In June 2024, FSSAI had issued a notification directing all food business operators to remove claims like “100% Fruit Juices” from product labels and advertisements. Dabur subsequently challenged this directive in the Delhi High Court.
The matter is currently pending before the court, with the next hearing scheduled for July 7. No interim relief has been granted to Dabur so far.
Both Dabur and FSSAI have not issued any public statements regarding the ongoing litigation.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information reported by Moneycontrol and other media sources as of May 1, 2025. The legal proceedings are ongoing, and the final outcome may differ from the positions described above. Readers are advised to consult official court documents or statements from the parties involved for the most current and accurate information.
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