Fast food joints issued show-cause

Mumbai: The designated officer of the central licencing authority and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in Mumbai has taken cognisance of faulty food advertisements and issued show-cause notices to various fast food outlets for contravening the Food Safety and Stand-ards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018. Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI said that food companies must desist from issuing advertisements/publicity materials that are in violation of the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 and rules/regulations made thereunder. “The FSSAI is committed to ensuring the availability of safe and wholesome food for all citizens of the country through various means like education, awareness building and regulatory enforcement and to achieve these goals, the ‘Eat Right Campaign’ is underway on across the country,” he said. Aligned with WHO advice, the FSSAI recently finalised the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2018. Under these regulations, advertisements are required not to undermine the importance of a healthy lifestyle, and not to promote or portray their food and beverages as a meal replacement unless otherwise specifically permitted by the FSSAI.