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FSSAI puts energy drink brands under scrutiny over labelling violations
Regulator says ‘energy drink’ claims and functional promises breach food labelling rules
NEW DELHI: It looks like India’s energy drink makers have run out of regulatory fuel. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to six leading beverage brands, including Red Bull and PepsiCo India, alleging misbranding and misleading product claims.
The notices cover six products: Red Bull Energy Drink, PepsiCo India’s Adrenaline Rush Energy Drink, Reliance Consumer Products’s Campa Energy Drink Gold Boost, Sting Energy Drink, Hell Energy and Monster Energy, which is backed by The Coca-Cola Company.
In a post shared on Instagram, the food regulator said it has not notified any official standard for products described as “energy drinks” or similar beverages. Despite this, the companies have used terms such as “energy drink” on product branding and labels.
FSSAI clarified that the Food Category System under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations is designed for regulatory classification and should not be used as the basis for product naming or labelling.
The regulator also objected to promotional claims that suggest functional or therapeutic benefits. According to FSSAI, statements such as “vitalises body and mind”, “enhancing focus”, “boost energy levels”, “aid in general weakness”, or similar claims are not permitted for food products under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules framed under it.
The latest action is part of a wider enforcement drive by the regulator against misleading food marketing practices. Over the past few weeks, FSSAI has issued notices to several food business operators for alleged misbranding, misleading advertisements and claims that do not comply with existing regulations. Some of these actions have also been triggered by consumer complaints.
In recent months, the regulator has increasingly disclosed such enforcement actions through its official social media channels, including X and Instagram, as part of its efforts to improve transparency and strengthen consumer awareness around food safety and labelling practices.
The latest action signals that FSSAI is tightening scrutiny of product labels and marketing claims, with food and beverage brands likely to face closer regulatory attention going forward.
