In a wide-ranging nationwide enforcement drive targeting hygiene lapses, unpermitted health claims, and unlicensed operations, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken regulatory actions against leading hospitality providers, major food manufacturers, and e-commerce platforms.
The enforcement actions include the issuance of improvement notices to 5-star establishments, immediate licence suspensions, outright cancellation of operating licences, and show-cause notices for misleading health claims across digital retail channels.
FSSAI has issued a comprehensive Improvement Notice to AB Hotels Limited, which operates the Radisson Blu Hotel in New Delhi, following severe non-compliance observations regarding food safety and hygiene.
The hotel operator has been directed to execute immediate corrective measures and submit a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) with supporting documentary and photographic evidence, failing which its FSSAI licence faces suspension.
Further, FSSAI has suspended the manufacturing licence of DNV Food Products Limited with immediate effect in the interest of public health following food safety and hygiene violations.
Taking a strict stance against repeated non-compliance, FSSAI has cancelled the food business licence of Jhanvitanni with immediate effect, directing the firm to cease all food operations immediately.
The cancellation follows the FBO's failure to address previously identified hygiene and sanitation defects, as well as its failure to satisfy mandatory Food Safety Management System (FSMS) requirements, including third-party auditing. Most notably, the establishment was caught continuing unauthorised food business operations in direct violation of a previously issued licence suspension order.
Meanwhile, in a separate action targeting digital marketing practices, FSSAI issued show-cause notices to Gemini Edibles&Fats India Limited, Innovative Retail Concepts Private Limited (BigBasket), and Flipkart India Private Limited regarding non-compliant advertising for "Freedom Cooking Rice Bran Oil."
The regulator observed that the oil was promoted across e-commerce platforms and social media with health claims such as "Reduces bad cholesterol and maintains/increases good cholesterol" and "10,000+ PPM Natural Oryzanol."
FSSAI ruled that these cholesterol management and heart-health assertions are not permitted under the Advertising and Claims Regulations, 2018 for edible vegetable oils.
Additionally, FSSAI said that Gemini Edibles was found offering and selling food products directly through its own e-commerce website without holding a valid Central Licence covering e-commerce business activities.
All three entities have been directed to show cause why legal action should not be initiated against them under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.