On April 30, 2025, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched a new digital tool that allows consumers to easily report misleading claims on food labels using their smartphones from the comfort of their homes.
The primary objective of this initiative is to enhance transparency in food labelling, protect consumer rights, and strengthen the enforcement of food safety standards.
This marks a significant shift from the traditional method of filing complaints, which often required physically visiting the concerned office. Now, with the introduction of this tool, consumers can conveniently raise complaints about misleading food labels through the Food Safety Connect Mobile App or via the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal.
To learn more about how this new digital tool works and how it can benefit your everyday life, keep reading this blog for a complete guide.
What Is the New FSSAI Digital Tool?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a new digital tool that enables consumers to report misleading claims on food labels directly from their smartphones. This feature is accessible through the Food Safety Connect Mobile App, available on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, or via the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal at https://foscos.fssai.gov.in.
Originally launched in October 2021, the Food Safety Connect App was designed to assist small vendors, hawkers, and start-ups in applying for FSSAI registration, and to provide access to information related to licensing, compliance, and food safety regulations. Over time, the app has evolved into a comprehensive resource hub for both businesses and consumers, offering features such as license verification and grievance redressal mechanisms.
With the new update, the app now allows users to lodge complaints by uploading key details such as images of the food packaging (both front and back), highlighting misleading claims, listing ingredients, and showing nutritional information. Consumers can also submit the brand name, FSSAI license number, manufacturer’s registration number, and e-commerce link, if applicable. Complaints are then directed to the appropriate food safety authority for action.
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FSSAI Digital Tool to Flag Misleading Claims on Food Labels
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Why Is It Needed?
The new FSSAI digital tool is part of the authority’s broader objective to increase transparency in food labelling, safeguard consumer rights, and strengthen the enforcement of food safety standards across the country. This initiative empowers regulatory authorities to take prompt, evidence-based action against non-compliant Food Business Operators (FBOs) in India.
This digital solution reflects FSSAI’s commitment to promoting accountability among food businesses and enabling active consumer participation in ensuring the accuracy of food labels. The app is designed with a consumer-centric approach, ensuring that all claims made on food products are truthful, clear, meaningful, and not misleading.
Moreover, any claim regarding nutritional value or health benefits must be scientifically substantiated, in line with regulatory standards. By enforcing these principles, the tool plays a vital role in building trust between consumers and food businesses and supports the overall goal of a safer, more transparent food ecosystem in India.
How Does It Work?
The digital tool for flagging misleading claims on food labels is available through the Food Safety Connect Mobile App, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, depending on your device. It can also be accessed via the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal at https://foscos.fssai.gov.in.
To begin, the user must download the app and create a login ID. After logging in, navigate to the section that allows users to flag misleading food label claims.
Next, provide all relevant details as evidence for the complaint. This includes:
- Name of the product or brand
- Front-of-pack image showing the misleading claim
- Back-of-pack image with ingredients and nutritional information
- FSSAI license number and manufacturer’s registration number
- For e-commerce products, provide the product URL, along with the purchase date and location
After filling in these details, write a brief explanation of the misleading claim. If available, attach additional supporting evidence and then submit the flag for review by the Food Safety Authority.
Once submitted, the user will receive a complaint number, which can be used to track the status of the complaint until a resolution is provided.
Impact on Consumers and Manufacturers
With the introduction of this digital tool, consumers can now easily lodge complaints or report misleading claims found on packaged food items through the Food Safety Connect Mobile Application or the FoSCoS portal, all from the comfort of their homes. This initiative promotes greater transparency in the food sector, helps safeguard consumer rights, and strengthens food safety regulations across the country.
This new initiative by FSSAI is also aligned with the efforts of the Advertisement and Claims Monitoring Committee (AMC), enhancing ground-level vigilance by empowering consumers to act as the eyes and ears of the food safety authority.
The Food Safety Connect app and FoSCoS portal are consumer-centric platforms built on FSSAI’s regulatory framework. They require manufacturers to ensure that all claims made on food products are truthful, clear, meaningful, and not misleading. Additionally, any claim regarding nutritional or health benefits must be scientifically substantiated, in accordance with the FSSAI’s Advertising and Claims Regulations and Labelling and Display Regulations.
Legal and Regulatory Background
The Food Safety Connect mobile application and the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal are developed under the regulatory framework established by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). These platforms are aligned with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018, and the Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020.
As per these regulations, all claims made on food products must be clear, accurate, scientifically valid, and not misleading. Any statement concerning nutritional or health benefits must be backed by credible scientific evidence. This ensures that consumers are not misled by false or exaggerated claims and are able to make informed decisions based on truthful and reliable information.
This initiative is also in alignment with the functioning of the FSSAI’s Advertisement and Claims Monitoring Committee (AMC), which monitors claims made on product labels and advertisements to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
To Wrap Up
The launch of the FSSAI’s digital tool marks a significant step toward ensuring transparency, accountability, and consumer empowerment in India’s food sector. By allowing individuals to report misleading claims directly from their smartphones, this initiative bridges the gap between consumers and regulators, ensuring that food labelling practices remain honest and compliant with established standards.
Backed by robust legal frameworks such as the Advertising and Claims Regulations, 2018, and the Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020, this tool not only reinforces regulatory compliance but also encourages active public participation in safeguarding food safety. It holds Food Business Operators (FBOs) accountable and supports timely enforcement action against violators.
In essence, the tool reflects FSSAI’s consumer-first approach where every food label must be truthful, scientifically validated, and not misleading. By strengthening monitoring through the AMC and providing an accessible platform for consumer grievances, FSSAI is fostering a more transparent, safe, and reliable food ecosystem for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FSSAI's new tool for food labels?
The new tool introduced by FSSAI for addressing misleading food labels is the Food Safety Connect Mobile App, available on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, or accessible via the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal at https://foscos.fssai.gov.in. This user-friendly digital platform allows consumers to report misleading claims on food labels directly from their smartphones, eliminating the need to physically visit the concerned authorities.
How do I report a misleading food label claim?
You can report a misleading food label claim in India through the FSSAI mobile app or the official FoSCoS portal by submitting relevant details such as the product or brand name, front and back images of the packaging showing the claim and nutritional information, the FSSAI license and manufacturer’s registration number, and for online purchases, the product URL, along with the purchase date and location. Once submitted, the complaint will be reviewed by the food safety authority.
Is the FSSAI tool free to use?
Yes, the FSSAI tool, such as the Food Safety Connect Mobile App, is completely free to use and can be easily downloaded from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. You can also access its services through the official website at https://foscos.fssai.gov.in. This user-friendly platform allows consumers to report misleading claims on food labels, track complaint status, and even apply for FSSAI registration, among other features.
What happens after a misleading food label claim is submitted?
After a consumer submits a report about a misleading food label claim through the app or the official FoSCoS website, the concerned regulatory authority reviews the complaint and investigates whether the claim is indeed misleading. This process involves assessing the product’s ingredients, nutritional information, and any accompanying health or functional claims. If the claim is found to be false or deceptive, the authority may take appropriate action, which can include fines, product recalls, or other legal measures against the manufacturer.
What are the consequences of not labelling products correctly?
If manufacturers or companies fail to accurately label their products in accordance with FSSAI rules and regulations, they may face legal consequences such as lawsuits, fines, and product recalls. These actions can be time-consuming, costly, and may also cause significant damage to the company’s reputation and brand image.
What is FSSAI and its role?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a regulatory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Its primary role is to ensure the safety, standards, and quality of food products in India by setting clear guidelines, regulating manufacturing practices, and promoting awareness about food safety.
What is the FSSAI license for?
An FSSAI license is a mandatory requirement for every food business operator in India, including those who manufacture, store, transport, or distribute food. This license ensures that the food products meet the safety standards set by FSSAI and are safe for consumption.
What is FSSAI labelling?
FSSAI labeling refers to the mandatory information that must be displayed on food product packaging, including the list of ingredients, nutritional facts, and indicators such as vegetarian or non-vegetarian status, among other essential details.
What is the full form of FSSAI?
FSSAI stands for the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
What is the full of FoSCoS?
FoSCoS stands for Food Safety Compliance System.
Read more: FSSAI’s Advisory for Food Safety in E-Commerce Sector
