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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive to all e-commerce Food Business Operators (FBOs) to ensure the appropriate categorization of food products sold on their platforms. This move comes in response to instances where food products licensed under ‘Proprietary Food’ have been incorrectly labeled and sold under categories such as ‘Health Drink’ or ‘Energy Drink’ on various e-commerce websites.
FSSAI has emphasized that the term ‘Health Drink’ lacks standardization and is not defined under the FSS Act 2006 or its related regulations. Consequently, e-commerce FBOs have been advised to rectify this misclassification promptly. They are instructed to remove or de-link products labeled as ‘Health Drinks’ or ‘Energy Drinks’ and place them under the appropriate category as provided by existing regulations.
Proprietary Foods, which include items not standardized under current regulations but utilizing standardized ingredients, have been a point of concern. Such products were found to be improperly categorized, leading to potential confusion among consumers regarding their nature and functional properties.
Moreover, the use of the term ‘Energy Drinks’ is strictly regulated and permitted only for products falling under specific categories standardized under the Food Product Standards and Food Additives Regulations 2011. The directive underscores the importance of accurate categorization to prevent misleading information and ensure transparency for consumers.
This corrective action by FSSAI aims to enhance clarity and transparency in the online food retail space, empowering consumers to make well-informed choices. By adhering to proper categorization guidelines, e-commerce platforms can contribute to a safer and more reliable food shopping experience for all consumers.
The initiative reflects FSSAI’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding public health and promoting food safety standards across India’s digital marketplace.
For further information, please contact the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) or visit their official website.
