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Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018

These rules are what makes a misleading food advertisement or label claim a punishable offence (section 53 of the FSS Act), separate from the Consumer Protection Act's advertising rules.

In force Regulation, 2018

Last verified:

What it covers

Fairness requirements for claims and advertisements about food products, including restrictions on words like 'natural', 'fresh' or 'original' except under specified conditions, and criteria for nutrition and health claims.

Duties on businesses

  • Do not make false, misleading or unsubstantiated claims about a food product.
  • Only use words such as 'natural', 'fresh', 'original', 'traditional', 'authentic', 'genuine' or 'real' under the specific conditions these regulations allow.
  • Seek Food Authority approval for claims not already standardised under the regulations, where required.

Rights for consumers

  • Expect advertising and on-pack claims about food to be truthful and substantiated.

Authorities

  • FSSAI
  • Central Consumer Protection Authority (for misleading advertisements generally)

How to complain under this law

Report misleading food claims or advertising via Food Safety Connect (FoSCoS), or to the CCPA for misleading advertisements more broadly.

Official text: https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Compendium_Advertising_Claims_Regulations_04_03_2021.pdf (opens in a new tab)