The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken action against two food products over separate safety and compliance concerns. The regulator has penalised AWL Agri Business Ltd for manufacturing and marketing substandard fortified sunflower oil, while the sale of a Monk Fruit Sweetener from PIE Foods has been prohibited over alleged licensing and labelling violations.
The actions form part of FSSAI’s continuing enforcement efforts aimed at ensuring that food businesses comply with prescribed safety, quality, licensing and labelling requirements.
Fortified oil fails prescribed vitamin standard
The action against AWL Agri Business relates to Fortune “Fryola” Refined Sunflower Seed Oil. A retail sample of the fortified edible oil was subjected to laboratory analysis, which found that its vitamin D content was below the prescribed standard.
As a result, the product was classified as substandard under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. FSSAI subsequently initiated proceedings against AWL Agri Business Ltd in Mangaluru.
The company was given an opportunity to present its case before the adjudicating authority. After considering the matter, the authority concluded that the company had manufactured and marketed fortified sunflower oil that did not meet the required standard and imposed a monetary penalty.
FSSAI’s action highlights the importance of meeting nutrient requirements for fortified food products. Under the food safety framework, manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that products placed on the market comply with the standards applicable to their category.
Also Read: Google Weighs $1.5 Billion Mechanize Licensing Deal to Bolster AI Coding Efforts
Monk fruit sweetener faces sales prohibition
In a separate case, FSSAI prohibited the sale of PIE Foods’ Monk Fruit Sweetener following inspections at the company’s premises.
According to the regulator, cartons of the product were found stored at the premises without the required manufacturing licence. The action also involved concerns related to the product’s claims and labelling.
FSSAI said the product carried claims including “100% Monk Fruit Extract” and “Natural Ingredients”. The regulator also pointed to the product’s online listing, which it said did not contain the mandatory endorsement required under applicable food safety regulations.
The company was further unable to produce records demonstrating that the monk fruit extract used in the product had been procured in accordance with the requirements of the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Prohibition to continue until compliance
The prohibition on the Monk Fruit Sweetener will remain in force until the product complies with the applicable provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act and related regulations.
The action does not concern the general category of monk fruit sweeteners. It relates specifically to the product and compliance issues identified during the regulatory inspection.
PIE Foods currently markets its Monk Fruit Sweetener as a zero-calorie sweetener and lists an FSSAI licence on its website. However, the regulatory action concerns the circumstances identified during FSSAI’s inspection and the compliance requirements cited by the regulator.
FSSAI steps up focus on food compliance
The two cases involve different types of regulatory concerns. The action against AWL Agri Business was linked to the nutrient content of a fortified edible oil, while the action involving PIE Foods concerned licensing, labelling and documentation requirements.
FSSAI has continued to use inspections, laboratory testing and enforcement proceedings to address violations by food business operators. The regulator’s licensing and compliance systems are intended to ensure that businesses manufacturing, storing, distributing or selling food products operate within the prescribed legal framework.
The latest actions underline the importance of compliance across different stages of the food supply chain. For manufacturers and food businesses, meeting product standards, maintaining the required licences and following applicable labelling and documentation rules remain key requirements before products can be offered to consumers.
Also Read: iPhone 17 Pro Max Gets Rs 16,000 Price Cut on Flipkart Ahead of Freedom Sale
