Politics · India Bureau
Delhi High Court stays FSSAI action against ITC over product labelling claims
The Delhi High Court has granted interim relief to ITC Ltd, preventing the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India from cancelling the company's licence over disputed '100 percent' claims on its Aashirvaad M.P Chakki Atta flour product.
LSN India ·
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued the protective order on Tuesday while hearing ITC's petition challenging FSSAI directives to remove all "100 percent" claims from its product packaging or face licence suspension. The court directed that no decision regarding licence cancellation would be taken until the next hearing scheduled for September 9, when the issue of jurisdictional authority will be examined.
"Since the issue regarding jurisdiction is to be decided and the courts will be closed, till the next date of hearing, no decision regarding cancellation of the license will be taken," Justice Sharma stated during the proceedings.
The dispute centres on FSSAI notices requiring ITC to discontinue using the term "100%" in relation to the flour product, citing concerns about potential consumer deception. The interim protection provides ITC a reprieve as the court deliberates on whether the FSSAI's regulatory actions fall within its authority.
The court also indicated it would rule separately on Monday, August 31, regarding the maintainability of a petition filed by AWL Agri Business Limited, which has similarly received FSSAI notices over allegedly misleading labelling declarations on its products.