New Delhi: On Thursday, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) announced strict enforcement action against multiple food business operators for misleading claims, non-compliant labelling, food safety violations and hygiene lapses, aimed at safeguarding consumer interests.
Among the key measures, the regulator issued a prohibition order against Vatave Health Care concerning its product ‘FOLINEURO Syrup – Folinic Acid Syrup’ and directed Global Healthfit Retail India Private Limited to immediately halt the sale of ‘Neuherbs TRUE VITAMIN’.
The actions were announced by FSSAI through a post on the social media platform X.
Action against FOLINEURO Syrup
FSSAI has prohibited the manufacture, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, marketing and sale of FOLINEURO Syrup with immediate effect.
According to the regulator, the product name ‘FOLINEURO’ combined with a brain image on the front-of-pack (FoP) creates a misleading impression that the syrup is intended to support or improve brain and neurological functions.
“The product name ‘Folineuro’ along with the brain image on the Front Pack (FoP) implies that the product is intended to support or improve brain/neuro functions,” FSSAI stated. This representation amounts to misleading claims regarding the product’s intended use.
Additionally, the product was classified as a ‘Nutritional Food Supplement’, a category that does not exist under the Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals) Regulations, 2016.
Based on the complaint, product label, licence details and available records, FSSAI determined that the product prima facie failed to comply with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The authority warned that any violation of the prohibition order will attract strict legal and penal action.
Action against Neuherbs TRUE VITAMIN
In a separate order, FSSAI prohibited the sale of ‘Neuherbs TRUE VITAMIN’ marketed by Global Healthfit Retail India Private Limited.
The regulator held that the trade name ‘TRUE VITAMIN’ is neither defined nor recognised under the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, or the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018.
“The term ‘True Vitamin’ may mislead consumers as it is neither defined nor recognised under the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, or the FSS (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018, and is in contravention of the same,” FSSAI said.
The company was directed to immediately stop selling the product, remove the misleading name and claims from product labels and advertisements, and submit an Action Taken Report within 30 days. Failure to comply may lead to further regulatory action, including possible licence-related measures.
Broader Context
FSSAI emphasised that these steps are part of its ongoing efforts to curb deceptive marketing practices in the health supplements and nutraceuticals sector. The regulator has been actively scrutinising products that make unapproved or exaggerated health claims, use non-recognised terminology, or employ imagery that could influence consumer perception of therapeutic benefits without scientific or regulatory backing.
Consumers are advised to verify that health supplements carry a valid FSSAI licence number, are correctly labelled as “Health Supplement” or “Nutraceutical,” and include the mandatory disclaimer “NOT FOR MEDICINAL USE.”
The prohibition orders underscore FSSAI’s commitment to ensuring that food products, including nutritional supplements, do not mislead the public about their intended use or efficacy under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Source: FSSAI
