The department of health, family welfare and food safety, Andhra Pradesh, has issued notices to four fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) firms for violation of provisions on misleading advertisements.
“Misleading advertisements related to food items without scientific basis misguide the consumer. And, such advertisers attract penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh as per Section 53 of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006,” said Praveen Prakash, commissioner of health, family welfare and food safety.
The notices were issued to Gemini Edibles and Fats Private Limited for its misleading advertisement on zero per cent cholesterol in ‘Freedom’ refined sunflower oil, Health Heart Foods of Timmapur for its ad on reducing cholesterol on ‘Healthy Heart’ refined sunflower oil, Hi-Tech Malto Max Foods of Himachal Pradesh, whose ad claimed that its product helps reduces cholesterol and improves digestion, low fat with stress relievers, and Mumbai-based Heinz India Private Limited for its ad on 34 vital nutrients with the food product of ‘Complan Memory’, a release stated.
