NEW DELHI: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued a notice to Zepto Marketplace Private Limited following a complaint alleging delivery of two packs of besan past their use-by date. The regulator has asked the company to verify the complaint and explain the circumstances of the delivery.
The FSSAI Zepto notice forms part of enforcement action announced against four firms over alleged food-safety violations and misleading labelling or advertising claims. Separate notices concern Bakelite Food Processing Private Limited, HealthyHey Foods LLP and BMS Lifescience.
What Zepto has been asked to explain
According to FSSAI’s notice, both besan packs reportedly carried the marking ‘USE BY: 12092026’, or September 12, 2026. Zepto has been directed to provide order, delivery, warehouse, seller and product details, and explain the root cause of the alleged delivery of expired stock.
The company must also confirm withdrawal of affected stock, customer notification, refunds and corrective measures to prevent a recurrence. The regulator has sought a written response and said non-compliance may attract action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and regulations made under it.
Cream-roll labelling questioned
In the notice to Bakelite, FSSAI questioned the labelling and advertising of ‘Malpani’s Bake-Lite Puneri Cream Roll’, offered through Blinkit and Zepto. The authority said the declared ingredients included refined wheat flour, hydrogenated vegetable fat, margarine and sugar, but no milk, milk fat, cream or other dairy ingredient. It said the cream wording and imagery could mislead consumers about the product’s composition, and directed a response and corrective action.
Notices over cranberry-capsule claims
The HealthyHey notice concerns its natural cranberry extract capsules. FSSAI cited discrepancies in food-colour declarations, health-related claims requiring prior approval, labelling requirements and advertising language including ‘FSSAI certified’ and ‘100% Natural’. The firm has been asked to respond within the stipulated period.
The BMS Lifescience notice concerns ‘Haog’s Cranberry Urinary Tract Health Capsules’. FSSAI said the product was being marketed under an expired registration certificate and raised objections to health-related claims, the use of its logo and advertising suggesting therapeutic or preventive benefits. The firm has been directed to submit a response; further action may follow if it is unsatisfactory.
