Brands
Perfetti Van Melle India launches Center Fresh Mints
MUMBAI: Perfetti Van Melle India has launched Center Fresh Mints, a new offering by the Center Fresh brand in the mint candy segment.
This new offering will provide the benefit of ‘Instant Fresh Breath’ with 3-layers of sugar free mints available in a stylish pocket friendly pack. Center Fresh Mints will be available in peppermint flavour and strawberry mint at a price point of Rs 10.
Perfetti Van Melle India managing director Rajesh Ramakrishnan said, “We see tremendous opportunity for growth with relevant extensions in the fresh breath needed space. I am confident that this launch will strengthen the position of Center Fresh brand in India and help extend its equity to higher price points.”
Perfetti Van Melle India director-marketing Rohit Kapoor said, “We wanted to introduce a truly innovative mint offering under Center Fresh in India specially approaching 2019 when the brand shall be completing 25 years milestone. It’s the first extension of the brand in non-gum segment. Globally we have seen powermints as a category gaining a lot of traction and we would like to develop the category further in India with the launch of Centerfresh Mints.”
The launch is supported with campaign on TV, extensively on digital medium and visibility tools for retail & modern trade.
Commenting on the campaign, Ogilvy executive creative director Anurag Agnihotri said, “The launch campaign for Center Fresh Mints highlights various relatable situations in the lives of today’s youth when you would need instant fresh breath. We have tried to capture these occasions through a hummable, memorable music track.”
Perfetti Van Melle India Pvt Ltd (PVMI) started operations in India in 1994. The company at present has a diverse portfolio of brands across segments (i.e. candies, jellies, gums & chewies) which it sells through various channels across the country. PVMI is a fully owned subsidiary of the global confectionary conglomerate Perfetti Van Melle, headquartered in Amsterdam.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
