India: Food and Drugs Law

On 7 August 2026, the Delhi High Court stayed an order of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (“FSSAI”) prohibiting Dabur India Limited from selling certain food products carrying claims such as “100% Pure”, “100% Natural” and “100% Organic”. Hon’ble Justice Amit Mahajan (Delhi High Court) held that the prohibition ought not to have been passed without an opportunity of hearing. That order captures the season. In recent weeks, the regulator has intensified its enforcement measures to ensure compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the courts have begun to ask how far it may go.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (“FSSAI”) has, over the course of late May 2025, taken two connected regulatory steps aimed at curbing misleading claims on packaged food labels. First, FSSAI issued a formal advisory to all Food Business Operators (“FBOs”) directing them to discontinue the use of the term “100%” on food labels, packaging, and promotional material. Second, and consistent with the concerns underlying that advisory, FSSAI issued a detailed notice to a confectionery company in India, flagging specific instances of non-compliant labelling and misleading claims across several of its product lines.

India's life sciences regulatory landscape in July 2026 saw major developments across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare regulation. Key changes included the draft National Pharmacy Commission Bill proposing to replace the 80-year-old Pharmacy Act, CDSCO's final guidance on Medical Device Software establishing clear market access pathways, and stricter controls on high-alcohol oral formulations under Schedule H1.

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.

“अन्नं ब्रह्म, अन्नं जीवनस्य मूलम्” (Atharvaveda 17.109.1), translated as “Food is Brahma (the Supreme Being), and it is the root of life”, aptly encapsulates the unique position food occupies within the Indian socio-cultural framework. In India, food transcends mere sustenance; it is intrinsically linked with spirituality, tradition, and community life. This elevated status naturally renders food safety not just a regulatory concern, but a matter of public trust and societal well-being.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has taken a significant step in fortifying the country’s food safety architecture by notifying the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues)...

In this episode of Podcast Bites by IndiaLaw LLP, host Tanvi Dalvi unpacks the sweeping reforms introduced under the FSSAI 2026 Amendment Regulations, effective 1 April 2026.

India's life sciences and healthcare sector saw significant regulatory shifts in April 2026, including proposed decriminalization of minor violations, new medical device testing fees, and streamlined foreign training requirements for healthcare professionals. Courts also delivered key rulings on pharmaceutical trademark disputes, reinforcing stricter standards for drug name similarity.