SSAI Penalises AWL Agri Over Fortune Sunflower Oil

AWL Agri Business Ltd, manufacturer of Fortune edible oil brand, has been penalised by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for manufacturing and marketing substandard fortified sunflower oil as lab tests found the product did not meet prescribed nutrient standards.

The action relates to Fortune Fryola Refined Sunflower Seed Oil, an enriched edible oil manufactured at the company’s Mangalore facility. A one-litre sample taken from Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa, Goa, did not meet the Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2018, the regulator said.

The laboratory report indicated that the levels of Vitamin A and Vitamin D in the product were lower than the prescribed limits and it was declared “substandard” by the FSSAI under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

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AWL Agri disputed the results and requested a retest of the sample. However, a referral laboratory confirmed that the Vitamin D level was still below the necessary range, confirming the first test results.

Following the confirmation, the Central Licensing Authority granted sanction for prosecution, after which an adjudication application was filed. The Adjudicating Officer in Goa subsequently imposed a penalty on AWL Agri Business for manufacturing and marketing a substandard fortified edible oil. The regulator has not disclosed the quantum of the penalty.

FSSAI Tightens Enforcement:

The move comes as the FSSAI has increased its regulatory scrutiny across the food and beverage sector. The regulator has increased its inspections and enforcement actions against packaged food companies, beverage makers, e-commerce platforms and food business operators over the past few months for issues concerning product quality, labelling and marketing claims.

The latest order comes close on the heels of another regulatory action by FSSAI asking Dabur India to stop selling products with claims like "100% Natural", "100% Pure", "100% Purity Guaranteed" and "100% Organic", saying such claims could be misleading and were difficult to substantiate. The directive covered categories like honey, ghee, apple cider vinegar, coconut oil and coconut water.

The regulator has also stepped up its scrutiny of speciality foods and online food sellers in a wider effort to boost compliance with food safety and labelling laws.

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Why the Case Matters:

The case highlights FSSAI's growing focus on fortified foods, which are promoted as a means of addressing nutritional deficiencies through the addition of essential vitamins and minerals.

Fortified edible oils are marketed on the basis of nutrients such as Vitamin A and Vitamin D, making compliance with prescribed fortification standards critical for both consumer health and product credibility.

The case also underscores FSSAI's enforcement process, which relied on both the initial laboratory analysis and an independent referral laboratory review before proceeding with adjudication and imposing a penalty.