Asia: Consumer Protection

India's food safety regulator has issued a stark warning to celebrities and social media influencers: verify health and nutritional claims before promoting food products, or face potential legal consequences. As influencer advertising violations surge to over 21% of all advertising complaints, the question of accountability has moved from public backlash to formal regulatory scrutiny, with recent show-cause notices issued to major Bollywood stars.

When India's food regulator ordered Dabur to stop selling products labeled "100% Pure," the Delhi High Court intervened with an interim stay. The case raises fundamental questions about how absolute advertising claims should be regulated and whether prohibitory action can be taken without adequate procedural safeguards.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, operating through its Trade and International Cooperation Division, has issued a significant public notice that carries important implications for the import community across the country.