FSSAI Advertising and Claims Regulations, 2018
Governance / Food Safety · Friday, 21 August 2026
The Maharashtra FDA issued notices to actors over Vimal Elaichi endorsements, alleging surrogate advertising of prohibited pan masala. The FSSAI regulations require truthful and scientifically supported food advertising while prohibiting misleading claims, surrogate promotion and unauthorized disease-treatment claims.
Quick highlights
- The regulations were notified by FSSAI under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- Food advertisements must be clear, truthful, unambiguous and scientifically meaningful.
- Foods cannot be advertised as preventing, treating or curing diseases.
- Nutrition and health claims require scientific substantiation.
- Novel reduction-of-disease-risk claims require prior FSSAI approval.
- FSSAI can stop deceptive advertising and order a corrective advertisement within 30 days.
Context
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration issued notices concerning endorsements of Vimal Elaichi, alleging that the advertisements functioned as surrogate promotions for prohibited pan masala.
Key Facts
The regulations were framed under Section 92 read with Sections 23 and 24 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. They apply to Food Business Operators, advertisers and marketers and regulate nutritional, comparative and health claims.
Significance
The framework protects consumers from deceptive marketing and ensures that health or nutrition claims are supported by validated methods and evidence. It also prevents the FSSAI logo from being used as a badge implying product superiority.
Challenges / Way Forward
Surrogate advertising, celebrity endorsements and brand extensions can obscure the product actually being promoted. Strong monitoring, scientific scrutiny of claims, prompt corrective advertisements and enforcement of penalties are necessary.
Exam Angle
Revise FSSAI’s statutory basis, truthful advertising principles, disease-cure prohibitions, prior approval for novel claims, corrective advertisements and liability for misleading commercial communication.
Remember this
- The parent law is the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- The regulations were notified under Section 92 read with Sections 23 and 24.
- Disease prevention, treatment and cure claims for food are prohibited.
- Claims must be scientifically substantiated.
- Prior approval is required for novel reduction-of-disease-risk claims.
- The FSSAI logo cannot be used to imply product superiority.
- Corrective advertisements may be ordered within 30 days in the same medium.
- Section 53 of the FSS Act covers penalties for misleading advertisements.
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