Dabur moves Delhi HC against FSSAI order over '100%' claims on food products

Dabur India has moved the Delhi High Court challenging a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) order restraining it from selling several food products carrying "100%" claims.

The matter was mentioned on Thursday by senior counsel appearing for Dabur before a bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia for urgent listing.

The petition has been listed for hearing before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on Friday.

The prohibition covers products including honey, apple cider vinegar, virgin coconut oil, sesame oil, cow ghee, coconut water, coconut milk and other food items carrying similar claims.

In its order, FSSAI said the claims violated the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018.

The regulator also found that Dabur Himalayan Organic Apple Cider Vinegar and Dabur Organic Honey were displaying the Jaivik Bharat logo without a valid FSSAI organic endorsement, in violation of the Food Safety and Standards (Organic Foods) Regulations, 2017.

It further said Dabur Homemade Coconut Milk was marketed with the claim "100% Purity", which is not permissible for compound foods under the regulations.

According to FSSAI, it had earlier issued a notice asking the company to discontinue the "100%" claims, but no satisfactory corrective action was taken.

The regulator directed Dabur to stop the sale of all food products carrying such claims and submit an Action Taken Report within 15 days.

What Dabur CEO said

Addressing shareholders at the company's annual general meeting on Thursday, Dabur Global CEO Mohit Malhotra said the notice relates to the industry's use of such expressions and does not question the quality or safety of Dabur's products.

"We are collaborating with FSSAI to resolve this matter, and also seeking legal advice on the future course of action," he said.