Misleading products being sold in the name of ghee/butter etc.

The regulatory body Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a notice stating that certain food business operators (FBOs) are using the ‘dairy’ term to sell non-dairy products such as ‘plant based ghee/butter, vegan ghee butter’ etc., which are available in the market and e-commerce platforms. Such products are of non-animal origin and are usually a blend or mixture of two or more edible oil/ hydrogenated fats and natural flavours.

It has also been noticed that such products are being sold deceptively as ‘vegan ghee’ whereas as per the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (vegan foods) regulations 2022, ghee, butter etc. cannot be claimed as vegan foods and the use of vegan food claim and logo are permitted only after the authority’s approval.

FSSAI has thus requested all food safety commissioners and regional directors to check the labels of such products being manufactured and/or sold under different jurisdictions including online platforms. Enforcement actions are to be taken against such FBOs that are selling misleading products.