Continuing its enforcement actions, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a notice to Hyderabad-based Gemini Edibles & Fats India Ltd for selling rice bran oil with misleading health-benefit claims. At the same time, it issued an improvement notice to AB Hotels Ltd, which operates the Radisson Blu Hotel at Mahipalpur, New Delhi, for failing to comply with food safety and hygiene requirements. The food safety regulator said it has also suspended the licenses of two companies, DNV Foods and Jhanvitanni, for non-compliance.
In a social media post on Friday, FSSAI said it issued notices to Gemini Edibles & Fats India, Innovative Retail Concepts (BigBasket), and Flipkart India over misleading claims for the product ‘Freedom Cooking Rice Bran Oil’.
The regulator said the product was promoted through e-commerce platforms and social media with claims such as ‘Reduces bad cholesterol and maintains/increases good cholesterol’ and “10,000+ PPM Natural Oryzanol”.
“The cholesterol and heart-health claims were found to be not covered/permitted under the applicable claims for edible vegetable oil (rice bran oil) under the Advertising and Claims Regulations, 2018,” FSSAI said. It added that the company was selling food products through its own e-commerce website without appearing to hold a valid central licence covering e-commerce activity. FSSAI directed these FBOs (food business operators) to show cause why action should not be initiated under the FSS Act, 2006.
Meanwhile, FSSAI issued an improvement notice to AB Hotels Ltd, which operates the Radisson Blu Hotel at Mahipalpur in New Delhi, for various non-compliances, including poor maintenance of premises and equipment, inadequate cleaning and sanitisation, stagnant water, and drainage and food-waste problems. Deficiencies in pest control were recorded, with cockroach and fly activity observed. Food procurement and receiving checks were inadequate, including the receipt of fungal-affected and deteriorated fruits and vegetables. There were also gaps in approved-vendor records and traceability, as well as improper segregation of raw and cooked foods, vegetarian and non-vegetarian items, allergenic and non-allergenic foods, and food and non-food items, among other non-compliances. “ The FBO (AB Hotels) has been directed to take immediate corrective measures and submit a detailed action taken report with supporting documentation and photographic evidence. Failure to comply may lead to further action, including suspension of the FSSAI license,” the regulator added.
In a separate action, FSSAI suspended the license of DNV Food Products Ltd for serious non-compliances observed during the inspection. The violations were related to hygiene, sanitation, storage and licensing. At the same time, it has also cancelled the license of Jhanvittanni for continued non-compliance with food safety rules and regulations, despite license suspension.”
Published on October 16, 2026
