Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) held a National Stakeholder Consultation on food labelling, advertisement, and claims at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on August 13, 2025. Nearly 700 stakeholders, including government officials, industry experts, and consumer groups, discussed ways to strengthen regulations, protect consumers, and align India’s food safety rules with global standards.
Health Ministry Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said the fast-changing food industry needs global best practices and closer scrutiny of products. “We are now exposed to the entire world, which means we must adopt positive changes and keep a close watch on what reaches consumers,” she said. Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare urged companies to avoid misleading advertisements and instead give “truthful and honest declarations” so that consumers can decide for themselves.
Economic Advisory Council member Sanjeev Sanyal called for stricter checks on claims in food ads, even when backed by scientific evidence, and praised FSSAI’s move to introduce all labelling changes only once a year from July 1 to give the industry more stability. The Information and Broadcasting Ministry’s Additional Secretary, Prabhat, warned that false claims in food advertising not only damage trust but can also harm public health.
The day-long event featured sessions comparing global and Indian food labelling rules, enforcement case studies, and interactive discussions on industry responsibility and regulatory challenges. FSSAI officials said the feedback gathered will help shape future policies that are both practical for businesses and uncompromising on consumer safety.
This consultation is part of a series of nationwide stakeholder dialogues aimed at building a more transparent and accountable food regulation system, with input from industry, farmers, researchers, and consumer organisations.
Senior FSSAI officials, including G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, Chief Executive Officer; Dr. Alka Rao, Advisor (S&S&R); U. S. Dhyani, Executive Director; and Satyen Kumar Panda, Advisor (QA), along with senior officials from the Ministry, were also present at the event.
