FSSAI widens food safety crackdown to dark stores, cloud kitchens, labels and trademarks

The FSSAI, along with State FDAs, has intensified enforcement action over the past few months, including pulling up packaged food companies for misleading labels and claims

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is widening its enforcement drive, moving beyond conventional food-safety inspections to scrutinise the rapidly expanding quick-commerce and cloud-kitchen ecosystem, while simultaneously tightening the rules around how packaged food is marketed and described to consumers.

The food safety regulator has also asked States to ramp up surveillance, especially of dairy products, ahead of the upcoming festival season. FSSAI, which has been pulling up packaged food companies over misleading labels and claims, has written to the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, to not register brand trademarks containing terms such as ‘healthy.

Rajit Punhani, CEO, FSSAI, told businessline: “We are strongly focusing on dark stores and cloud kitchens to ensure that they comply with hygiene practices and maintain adequate cold-chain infrastructure. In fact, we have called a meeting with States later this month, to discuss issues related to dark stores and cloud kitchens.”

Asked about the ongoing matter related to the front-of-the-pack warning labels before the Supreme Court, he said the judgment is being awaited.

The FSSAI, along with State FDAs, has intensified enforcement action over the past few months, including pulling up packaged food companies for misleading labels and claims. “More than 100 companies have changed their labels. Some companies said that ‘healthy is part of their trademark. So, we have written to the Controller General of Trademarks that they should not register trademarks with terms such as ‘healthy’,” said Punhani.

raids conducted

Between April 1 and August 31, food safety enforcement agencies across India conducted 7.05 lakh inspections, 13,203 raids and issued 8,151 notices to food business operators for food safety related violations. This led to suspension of 677 food licences and 105 food registrations, besides seizure of 35.48 lakh kgs and 86,921 litres of food products, with a reported value of ₹42.01 crore.

“More than 600 people have been arrested in the last six months over violations. Prosecutions are equally important and state officials are being sensitised about speedy disposal of cases,” he added.

The State Food Safety Commissioners and FDAs have been given directions to focus on enforcement for prevention of violations, while stepping up recruitment of food safety officers, he noted. ”There is also much more awareness among consumers and there is demand for stringent actions. All these factors have contributed to the enforcement actions,” Punhani added.

Published on September 10, 2026