Brands
Farmley goes 100 per cent palm oil-free across its product range
Mumbai: Marking a significant step towards healthier and more sustainable snacking options for consumers, Farmley, a wholesome snacking specialist, has announced its transition to becoming completely palm oil-free.
Backed by extensive research and development, Farmley, with a yearlong mission of phasing out palm oil with healthier alternatives like olive oil, ghee or zero-oil across its entire range of products, has further solidified its commitment to redefining healthy snacking for its consumers. Palm oil, a commonly used vegetable oil, has raised environmental and health concerns due to its high saturated fat content. In an industry where the development and sale of blended palm oil is the norm – which includes 80-90 per cent of palm oil and only 10-20 per cent olive oil – Farmley is one of the first brands that is 100 per cent palm oil-free.
While creating a completely palm oil-free product range, Farmley has launched the “Palms Off Palm Oil” campaign, to raise awareness among consumers about the harmful effects of palm oil on health. It also aims to educate consumers about the negative impacts of palm oil production on the ecology, as it contributes to deforestation, destruction of wildlife habitats and climate change.
Expressing his delight in steering the transition to 100 per cent Palm oil-free products, Farmley co-founder Akash Sharma said, “At Farmley, prioritising the well-being and satisfaction of our consumers stands at the forefront of our mission. We began our journey 6 months ago to go completely palm oil free when a few of our customers expressed resentment towards our products being made in palm oil during our regular customer feedback surveys. Customer feedback is not just a suggestion box for us; it’s a guiding light that impacts our business decisions. We are happy to be among the first to transition our entire range of products to being completely palm oil free by replacing it with zero-oil, olive oil, or ghee. While this move will cater to the health of the nation, from a business perspective, it will provide us a first-mover advantage into an emerging F&B segment, which focuses on food quality and health. As we continue to innovate and improve, we remain committed to providing snacks that are not only delicious but also mindful of our planet and its inhabitants.”
A study published in the National Library of Medicine reveals that palm oil is used in almost half of the most commonly consumed food and consumer items, including popular snacks. Composed of 50 per saturated fatty acid, it increases LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol levels in the bloodstream, increasing the unhealthy fat content in the human body while elevating the risk of cardiovascular diseases in people.
Farmley’s range of wholesome snacks is available on online commerce platforms including Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, Zepto and Instamart, along with retail stores near you.
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.
