The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued fresh notices to Lotte India, Ferns N Petals (FNP) and Kubera Foods over alleged misleading advertising claims and violations of food labelling regulations. The food regulator has directed all three companies to explain the discrepancies within seven days, warning that action may be initiated under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 if satisfactory responses are not received.

The action follows inspections and scrutiny of product labels, where the regulator found several instances of non-compliance with India's food safety and advertising standards.

Lotte Choco Pie's '100% Vegetarian' Claim Under Scanner

One of the key observations made by FSSAI concerns Lotte India's Choco Pie range, including Lotte Choco Pie with Rich Marshmallow, Lotte Choco Pie Real Orange, and Lotte Choco Pie Choco Burst.

According to the regulator, the products carry a "100% Vegetarian" claim that has been found to be misleading under existing food labelling regulations.

FSSAI also noted that the company continued using pre-printed packaging displaying its old corporate name, "Lotte India Corporation Ltd.", without obtaining prior regulatory approval, violating packaging and labelling norms.

Nutritional Information Missing on Pepero Products

The regulator further observed deficiencies in PEPERO Crunchy Biscuit Sticks and PEPERO Original Biscuit Sticks, stating that nutritional information was not displayed in the prescribed format required under Indian food labelling rules.

Such information is mandatory to help consumers make informed dietary choices.

Lollipops and Fruitz Eclairs Also Face Violations

FSSAI found that Lolly Bliss Lollipops, available in orange, strawberry and kaccha mango flavours, failed to comply with prescribed vitamin levels under the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations.

The regulator also raised objections against Fruitz Eclairs, saying the product's branding creates the impression that it contains real fruit despite containing no fruit ingredients.

Additionally, the mandatory disclaimer required for such brand names was reportedly missing from the front of the package, making the labelling non-compliant.

Kubera Foods Pulled Up Over '100% Natural' Claim

FSSAI also served a notice to Kubera Foods regarding its Soft and Fresh Cream Bun Pineapple.

The regulator stated that the product prominently claims to be "100% Natural" and free from preservatives, colours and flavours. However, the ingredient list reportedly mentions preservatives, synthetic food colours and added flavouring substances, making the front-of-pack claims misleading.

Ferns N Petals Chocolate Product Under Investigation

A notice was also issued to Ferns N Petals Pvt. Ltd. over its Roasted Almond Chocolate.

According to FSSAI, the product carries the description "Premium Chocolate", even though it contains hydrogenated vegetable fat, raising concerns about the accuracy of the claim.

The regulator also pointed to shortcomings in ingredient disclosure and Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) declarations. Furthermore, promotional terms such as "Pure," "Fresh," and "Natural" were found to be inconsistent with food advertising regulations.

Companies Given Seven Days to Respond

FSSAI has directed all three companies to submit their explanations within seven days. The regulator warned that failure to provide satisfactory clarification could result in legal action under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The latest enforcement action reflects FSSAI's continued efforts to ensure truthful food labelling and protect consumers from misleading marketing claims in packaged food products

The meeting focused on the progress of major public health initiatives being implemented in Kerala, including the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, Free Drugs Service Initiative, Free Diagnostic Service Initiative, and healthcare human resource development under the National Health Mission (NHM).

Officials reviewed the status of healthcare delivery systems in the state and discussed measures aimed at improving access to affordable and quality healthcare services. Medical education, drug regulation, blood bank management, and food safety standards were also among the key issues taken up during the deliberations.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the discussion emphasized the need to strengthen health infrastructure, ensure the availability of essential medicines and diagnostic facilities, and enhance the efficiency of public healthcare institutions. The meeting also explored ways to improve healthcare manpower and support capacity-building efforts across various levels of the health system.

Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan briefed the Union Minister on the progress of ongoing health programmes in the state. He highlighted measures being undertaken by the state government to improve healthcare delivery and expand access to medical services.

The state minister also outlined certain challenges faced in implementing health initiatives and identified areas where additional support from the Centre could help accelerate progress. He reiterated Kerala’s commitment to working closely with the Union government to achieve national public health goals and improve healthcare outcomes for citizens.

Healthcare cooperation between the Centre and states has remained a key focus area as governments work to strengthen disease surveillance, improve primary healthcare networks, and expand access to critical medical services. Regular review meetings are considered important for monitoring programme implementation and addressing operational challenges.

During the interaction, Nadda appreciated the efforts made by the Kerala government in implementing various health schemes and public welfare programmes. He noted that effective execution of healthcare initiatives requires continuous monitoring, timely interventions, and strong coordination between different levels of government.

The Union Minister also assured the state of the Centre’s continued support in strengthening Kerala’s healthcare ecosystem. He stressed that collaborative efforts between the Union and state governments are essential to ensuring better health outcomes and building a resilient public health system capable of meeting future challenges.

Officials discussed the importance of improving healthcare accessibility, particularly in underserved areas, while ensuring that quality standards are maintained across medical institutions. The role of regulatory mechanisms in pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and food safety was also highlighted as part of efforts to enhance public trust in healthcare services.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the public health system and ensuring that citizens have access to affordable, equitable and high-quality healthcare services. Officials said continued engagement between the Centre and states would remain critical for achieving long-term health objectives and improving overall healthcare delivery across the country.

Kitchen Secrets: Desi Fridge Hacks To Naturally Kill Bacteria Without Chemicals

With power fluctuations common during Indian summers, relying solely on electricity for food safety is risky. Health officials are now revisiting traditional desi fridge hacks that work alongside modern cooling. These natural health improving kitchen tips are going viral among homemakers in Pune and Hyderabad as a preventive measure against seasonal stomach bugs.

The Hidden Danger Inside Your Fridge

A refrigerator only slows bacterial growth; it does not stop it. During summer, cross-contamination from raw vegetables to cooked curries spikes by 40%. Using chemical cleaners inside the fridge adds toxins. Consequently, households are turning to zero-chemical solutions that have been used for centuries.

Hack One: The Neem Leaf Layer

Place a layer of fresh neem leaves on the bottom shelf of your vegetable crisper. Neem acts as a potent antimicrobial agent. It absorbs ethylene gas released by ripening fruits, keeping greens fresher for three extra days. A government updates report on food safety has quietly endorsed this as a low-cost, high-impact method for rural and urban homes alike.

Hack Two: Charcoal For Moisture Control

Excess humidity inside the fridge breeds Listeria. Tie a piece of natural wood charcoal in a cotton cloth and keep it near the egg tray. Charcoal absorbs moisture and foul odors naturally. Unlike baking soda, it does not alter the taste of open food containers. Residents in Chennai have switched to this desi fridge hack during the current humid spell.

Hack Three: Ghee-Coated Utensils

Before storing leftover sabzi or dal, smear a thin layer of desi ghee on the inner walls of the steel container. Ghee creates an anaerobic seal, preventing airborne bacteria from settling. This is a trending news India hack that reduces the need for reheating food to unsafe temperatures. As per public health sources, reheating kills nutrients; ghee preserves them.

What Next For Summer Kitchens?

As the India Meteorological Department predicts a longer monsoon transition, maintaining gut health is priority. These natural health improving kitchen tips are not just about taste but survival. Experts advise combining these desi hacks with basic hygiene. For the common people, this English news portal India update offers a roadmap to zero-waste, illness-free summer eating.

Tirupati Laddu Row: Panel Flags Ghee Irregularities

The Tirupati laddu controversy deepens as a member committee report alleges 70 lakh kg ghee was procured without mandatory checks, raising concerns over safety and governance.

Massive procurement lapses

Hyderabad: A member inquiry committee has flagged serious irregularities in the procurement of ghee used in the iconic Tirupati laddu prasadam, pointing to systemic failures within the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The panel’s findings suggest that nearly 70 lakh kilograms of ghee was purchased without adhering to mandatory quality checks, with some batches reportedly used even before laboratory verification.

According to officials familiar with the report, these lapses were not isolated. The committee has described the issue as indicative of deeper administrative breakdowns and possible collusion among stakeholders involved in the procurement chain.

Adulteration concerns flagged

The report notes that several ghee samples tested positive for Sitosterol, a compound typically associated with vegetable oil adulteration. A lab report dated August 3, 2022, had already indicated contamination. However, the committee observed that no decisive action followed.

Despite evidence pointing to adulteration, the procurement process continued uninterrupted. Suppliers linked to questionable batches were neither blacklisted nor penalised, raising concerns about enforcement gaps.

Officials said the continued use of such ghee directly compromised both public health and religious sanctity, given the laddu’s significance for devotees visiting the Tirumala temple.

Former EO under scanner

The panel has held former TTD Executive Officer AV Dharma Reddy primarily responsible for weakening procurement safeguards. It alleges that tender rules were diluted under his watch, allowing questionable suppliers to remain in the system.

The report also claims that despite confirmed adulteration, no corrective steps were initiated. However, Dharma Reddy has earlier maintained that all procurement decisions were taken collectively and in accordance with contractual norms.

Tender norms diluted

One of the key findings relates to the structure of the procurement process itself. The committee observed that unusually low bids were accepted, often making it economically unviable to supply pure ghee.

In several instances, prices were reportedly revised downward through informal negotiations after tenders were finalised — a move that contravenes standard procedures. The panel believes this created an environment where adulteration became more likely.

Additionally, mandatory food safety protocols were allegedly ignored. Even after Sitosterol testing became compulsory from July 1, 2022, it was not fully integrated into TTD’s procurement practices during that period.

Network and supply chain issues

The committee has also pointed to the presence of an organised network. According to its findings, a major supplier continued operations through intermediary dairies even after being disqualified.

This workaround, the panel noted, exposed significant loopholes in monitoring mechanisms. It suggests that enforcement failures allowed such practices to persist without scrutiny.

Wider accountability questioned

The inquiry has widened its scope beyond administrative officials. The role of the purchase committee is under examination, with allegations against political figures including Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy and Bhumana Karunakar Reddy.

The report states that decisions taken collectively by the committee contributed to the dilution of safeguards. Both leaders, along with other members, were part of the decision-making process that allegedly relaxed tender norms.

Political backdrop

The controversy gained traction after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government of allowing adulterated ghee to be used in laddu preparation between 2019 and 2024.

The YSRCP, however, has dismissed these allegations as politically motivated, calling for an impartial review of the findings.

Next steps awaited

The committee, formed in February 2026 and led by retired IAS officer Dinesh Kumar, has recommended strict disciplinary action against those found responsible. It has also called for systemic reforms to plug procedural gaps and ensure compliance with food safety standards.

While the report has laid out a detailed account of alleged irregularities, no major action has been publicly announced so far. Officials indicated that further review and consultations are likely before any punitive measures are taken.

The Tirupati laddu controversy continues to draw attention, with its implications spanning faith, governance, and food safety — issues that are unlikely to fade soon.