The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a new digital tool empowering consumers to directly report misleading claims found on food product labels. This tool seeks to bolster consumer protection and ensure transparency in food labelling. This press release was issued on April 30, 2025.
The initiative allows consumers to easily lodge complaints regarding false or misleading information displayed on packaged food items through the Food Safety Connect mobile application or the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal.
The digital tool simplifies the submission of crucial details necessary for regulatory action. Consumers can now easily upload front-of-pack images clearly highlighting the misleading claim, along with the FSSAI license or registration number of the manufacturer. Furthermore, if the product is being sold online, the e-commerce URL can also be provided. This comprehensive information will enable regulatory authorities to take prompt and evidence-based action against Food Business Operators (FBOs) found to be non-compliant.
This initiative builds upon the existing regulatory framework established by the FSSAI under the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018, and the Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020. These regulations mandate that all claims made on food products must be truthful, unambiguous, meaningful, and not misleading. Additionally, any claim regarding nutritional or health attributes must be scientifically substantiated.
The new reporting mechanism also aligns with the functioning of the FSSAI’s Advertisement and Claims Monitoring Committee (AMC), which actively monitors claims made on food labels and in advertisements to ensure regulatory compliance. By empowering consumers to report issues directly, the FSSAI is effectively strengthening ground-level vigilance, turning citizens into the “eyes and ears” of the food safety authority.
The FSSAI is actively encouraging all citizens to participate in this initiative to foster honesty in food labelling and contribute to a healthier and well-informed India. The Food Safety Connect mobile application is readily available for download on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
