India's food regulator challenges 'healthy' claims on packaged foods

India’s food regulator FSSAI has sent notices to brands questioning whether front-of-pack health claims such as “natural” and “organic” match the product’s actual contents. Notices target breads, chocolates, juices, oils, noodles, supplements, water and caffeinated drinks, questioning claims ranging from “100% natural” and immunity-boosting to disease-prevention. FSSAI says these are initial notices pending company responses, not final decisions. Experts call this the “health halo” effect: positive labels can hide high sugar or sodium. They advise checking ingredient lists and nutrition panels, saying stricter enforcement alone won’t stop misleading marketing.