FSSAI issues notice to Heritage Foods over ‘Fresh Paneer’ claims

New Delhi, July 6 (PTI) Food regulator FSSAI on Monday said it has issued a notice to Heritage Foods Ltd for misleading claims regarding its product ‘Fresh Paneer’ as part of its efforts to safeguard consumer interest. FSSAI has asked Heritage Foods to submit an explanation within 7 days as to why action should not be initiated under the provisions of the FSS Act, 2006. In a social media post, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said it has issued a notice to the company over misleading claims on its product Heritage Fresh Paneer. "The claim ‘Fresh Paneer’ does not satisfy the conditions stipulated under Schedule V for the use of the term ‘Fresh’,” the regulator said. Accordingly, the use of the word ‘Fresh’ is liable to mislead consumers and is considered misleading, FSSAI said. The use of the term ‘Healthy’ in the trademark/name ‘Healthy Happiness’ is not in conformity with Regulation 8(3) of the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018, in the social media post mentioned. “The use of the term ‘Healthy’ is likely to create the impression that the product inherently promotes or enhances health, thereby rendering the claim misleading,” FSSAI said. Of late, the regulator has been posting on social media platforms regarding its actions taken on food business operators (FBOs). The notice has been issued based on suo moto cognizance as well as consumer complaints. PTI MJH VHI SHM