The Delhi High Court has stayed a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) order directing Britannia Industries Limited to remove the claims “No Added Sugar”, “No Maida” and “No Palm Oil” from its biscuit and cookie packaging. Justice Amit Mahajan passed the interim order on October 16, 2026.
Britannia challenged a communication dated October 9, 2026, directing it to discontinue the three claims. The dispute followed a show-cause notice issued on September 2, 2026, questioning whether the product labels were misleading or impermissible under the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018.
The authorities alleged that such claims could create an impression that the ingredients were unsafe, undesirable or inferior, potentially raising doubts about their suitability for consumption and influencing consumer behaviour.
Britannia argued that the three claims merely stated facts about its products and did not undermine competing manufacturers. The company also agreed to remove the separate “100% Millets” claim without prejudice to its position that the biscuits contained 100% millets.
The Court found merit, at the preliminary stage, in Britannia’s arguments concerning the three disputed claims. It observed:
“Prima facie, this Court is in agreement with the arguments raised by the petitioner that stating the fact that the product contains ‘No Added Sugar’, No Maida’ and ‘No Palm Oil’ cannot be alleged to be an advertisement undermining the product of other manufacturers or can influence the consumers behaviour in violation of the regulations.”
The order also recorded the company’s agreement to discontinue the millet claim, stating:
“The petitioner has agreed to manufacture the product without the claim ‘100% Millets’.”
The High Court stayed the October 9, 2026 order, allowing Britannia to manufacture and market the product with the three disputed claims, but without the “100% Millets” claim. The matter has been listed for January 15, 2027.
Case Title: Britannia Industries Limited v. FSSAI and Others
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