FSSAI Notices to Food Brands: Shocking 150+ Warnings Hit Nestle, PepsiCo
FSSAI notices to food brands have surged past 150 in recent weeks, targeting some of India’s biggest names in food, beverages, and quick-service dining over misleading claims and labelling violations. Here’s exactly who was named, what triggered the crackdown, and which everyday label words are now disappearing from packaging.
What Are the FSSAI Notices to Food Brands About?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India said the recent wave of FSSAI notices to food brands relates to misleading advertisements, false health claims, and failures to comply with labelling rules. The regulator described the action as targeting “various food business operators for serious violations of food safety laws and regulations,” adding that several companies have already started taking corrective measures after receiving their notices.
Which Companies Received Notices?
The list of FSSAI notices to food brands spans some of the most recognisable names on Indian shelves: Nestle India, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola India, Abbott India, Red Bull India, Danone India, Monster Energy India, Hell Energy, Mondelez India, Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Ferrero India, and Kenvue. More than 30 separate notices also went to quick-service restaurant chains, including KFC, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, and Costa Coffee.
E-commerce Platforms Didn’t Escape Scrutiny Either
The crackdown extended beyond food manufacturers and restaurants. Amazon received 12 notices and had one of its warehouse licenses cancelled, while Flipkart also received 12 notices, pointing to closer regulatory attention on how food products are stored, listed, and sold through online quick-commerce channels.
Domino’s and Hotels Face License Suspensions
Some of the FSSAI notices to food brands went beyond warnings. Five Domino’s outlets, operated by Jubilant FoodWorks in Mumbai and Karad, had their licenses suspended, alongside suspension notices to units of Sayaji Hotels. Cited reasons included pest infestations, improper food storage, and the presence of expired items, on top of hygiene violations and labelling non-compliance.
The Labelling Rules Behind the Crackdown
Much of this action traces back to FSSAI’s tightening stance on specific label words. Terms like “healthy,” “natural,” “fresh,” “100%,” and “no added sugar” have come under direct scrutiny, since FSSAI says a “no added sugar” claim only means no sugar was added during processing, not that the product is genuinely low in sugar if it contains naturally occurring sugars. Companies are now required to disclose that distinction clearly rather than let the phrase imply something it doesn’t.
Energy Drinks Banned From Using That Name
Among the more visible changes, FSSAI has barred certain caffeinated beverages from being marketed as “energy drinks” altogether. PepsiCo has already begun removing the word “energy” from new packaging for its Sting drink, one of several visible label changes companies have made since the notices went out.
Companies Asked for More Time, FSSAI Said No
Not every company facing FSSAI notices to food brands has simply complied quietly. Some food companies reportedly requested a year-long grace period to comply, citing existing stock, imports, and packaging already in circulation. FSSAI rejected that request, pushing brands to revise their labels and remove non-compliant claims without an extended transition window.
Regulatory Scrutiny of Major Companies Isn’t Limited to Food
FSSAI notices to food brands are part of a broader pattern of regulators and courts pressing large companies on transparency this year, our coverage of the Kent RO Urban Company dispute looks at a different consumer-facing company navigating its own regulatory and legal battle.
Corporate Accountability Questions Keep Surfacing in 2026
Questions about what companies disclose, and to whom, have come up repeatedly this year across sectors, our coverage of the TCS employee laptop monitoring software rollout looks at a very different kind of corporate transparency question, this time inside the workplace rather than on a product label. Official guidance on food labelling rules is available through the FSSAI website.
What Happens Next
With companies already revising packaging and removing flagged words, the more significant test will be whether FSSAI keeps up sustained enforcement, including further license suspensions, or whether attention fades once the current wave of corrective label changes is complete.
For more business and regulatory updates, check out our Business section.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many FSSAI notices have been issued to food brands?
More than 150 notices have been issued in recent weeks, covering food and beverage manufacturers, restaurant chains, and e-commerce platforms.
Which companies received FSSAI notices?
Named companies include Nestle India, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola India, Abbott India, Red Bull India, Danone India, Monster Energy India, Mondelez India, Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Ferrero India, and Kenvue, alongside chains like KFC, McDonald’s, and Domino’s.
Are FSSAI notices to food brands the same as license cancellations?
Not always. Most of the 150+ notices are warnings tied to misleading claims or labelling issues, while a smaller number of cases, like Domino’s and one Amazon warehouse, escalated to actual license suspensions or cancellations.
Why did Domino’s have licenses suspended?
Five Domino’s outlets operated by Jubilant FoodWorks had their licenses suspended over cited issues including pest infestations, improper food storage, and expired items.
Why is FSSAI cracking down on words like “natural” and “no added sugar”?
FSSAI says these terms can mislead consumers about a product’s actual health profile, particularly when a “no added sugar” product still contains significant naturally occurring sugars.
Can energy drinks still be marketed as “energy drinks” in India?
No, FSSAI has barred certain caffeinated beverages from using the term, prompting companies like PepsiCo to remove “energy” from relevant product packaging.
Which products have been banned by FSSAI in this crackdown?
FSSAI hasn’t issued a blanket product ban, but it has barred certain caffeinated beverages from using the term “energy drink” and has flagged specific products across brands like Lotte India, Emami, Heritage Foods, and Raw Pressery over misleading promotional claims.
What are the key changes in FSSAI’s labelling regulations right now?
The main changes involve tighter restrictions on words like “healthy,” “natural,” “fresh,” “100%,” and “no added sugar,” alongside the ban on marketing certain drinks as “energy drinks,” with FSSAI rejecting industry requests for a longer compliance window.
What is the latest news on FSSAI’s enforcement drive?
As of late August 2026, FSSAI has issued more than 150 notices to food brands, restaurants, and e-commerce platforms, with a handful of cases, including Domino’s and an Amazon warehouse, escalating to license suspensions or cancellations.