Is your cheese really ‘fresh’ and ‘healthy’? This action of FSSAI exposed the truth

If you buy packaged paneer from the market after looking at ‘Fresh’, ‘Healthy’ or other similar claims written on it, then this news is for you. Now the country’s food regulator FSSAI is taking strict action against such claims. In this connection, a notice has now been issued to Heritage Foods.

FSSAI has raised questions on the company’s claims like ‘Fresh’ and ‘Healthy Happiness’ written on Heritage Fresh Paneer. The regulator says that every claim written on the packet should be as per the rules. If a claim gives a wrong message to customers or creates confusion, action can be taken against it.

What is the whole matter?

FSSAI had received a complaint regarding Heritage Fresh Paneer. After this investigation was done. The regulator registered two main objections in the investigation. The first objection is regarding the word ‘fresh’. FSSAI says that the company’s product does not meet the conditions set for the use of the word ‘fresh’. In such a situation, writing ‘Fresh Paneer’ on the packet can mislead customers.

The second objection is on the word ‘Healthy’ used in the name ‘Healthy Happiness’. According to FSSAI, this can send a message to the customers that this product in itself is especially beneficial for health. There are separate rules for such claims and it is important to follow them.

What is the trend nowadays?

Nowadays, most people buy goods after seeing the words written on the packet. Claims like ‘Fresh’, ‘Healthy’, ‘Natural’, ‘No Added Sugar’ and ‘Heart Healthy’ lead people to believe that the product is better or more healthy, but if such claims do not have a scientific or legal basis, the customer may make a misinformed purchase.

What is the objective of FSSAI?

For this reason, FSSAI is now checking not only the quality of the food but also every claim written on the packet. Its purpose is that companies should not use such words just for marketing and consumers should get correct information. Now it is not enough for any company to write attractive claims on the packet. If ‘fresh’, ‘healthy’, ‘natural’ or any other claim is used, it will have to be proved as per the rules.

Why special focus on cheese?

FSSAI has also been especially cautious about cheese for some time. Complaints about fake or analog cheese being sold as real cheese have increased in the market. For this reason, the regulator is examining the quality of the cheese as well as its packaging and the claims written on it. Overall, this action is not against just one company. This is a message for all those food companies who make tall claims to sell their products. In the coming time, every claim written on the packet will be under investigation.

Also read: Is the packaged food you are buying repacked and expired? Know the methods of checking