UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Why is FSSAI tightening the rules on food claims?

Q1. With reference to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), consider the following statements: 1. It was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. 2. The Food Authority consists of a Chairperson and twelve members appointed by the Central Government. 3. Its headquarters is located at New Delhi. 4. Its standard-setting work is supported by scientific panels constituted by the Food Authority. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
  2. The Food Authority consists of a Chairperson and twelve members appointed by the Central Government.
  3. Its headquarters is located at New Delhi.
  4. Its standard-setting work is supported by scientific panels constituted by the Food Authority.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q2. Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, who is the ex officio Chairperson of the Central Advisory Committee of the Food Authority?

  • A. The Chairperson of the Food Authority appointed by the Central Government
  • B. The Chief Executive Officer of the Food Authority appointed by the Central Government
  • C. The Secretary in charge of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India
  • D. The Director General of Health Services, Government of India

Q3. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 achieved a single-point reference system by repealing how many pre-existing food laws and control orders listed in its Second Schedule?

  • A. Five
  • B. Six
  • C. Eight
  • D. Eleven

Q4. An order passed by an adjudicating officer against a food business operator for a misleading claim under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is appealable in the first instance to which one of the following?

  • A. The Food Safety Appellate Tribunal constituted by the State Government or the Central Government
  • B. The Central Consumer Protection Authority set up under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019
  • C. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission set up under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019
  • D. The Central Advisory Committee constituted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

Q5. Violation of the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018 attracts a fine extending up to how much?

  • A. One lakh rupees
  • B. Five lakh rupees
  • C. Ten lakh rupees
  • D. Twenty-five lakh rupees

Q6. Which one of the following statements correctly describes the agency that operationalised the 2026 notice drive against misleading food advertisements and unsubstantiated health claims?

  • A. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, which works under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, issued the notices and also served e-commerce platforms and food service chains
  • B. The Central Consumer Protection Authority, which works under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, issued all such notices, as food advertising lies entirely outside FSSAI's jurisdiction
  • C. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries issued the notices, as it is the exclusive nodal authority for labelling of every packaged food article sold in India
  • D. The Advertising Standards Council of India issued the notices, which are binding on all food business operators by virtue of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

Q7. In FSSAI's 2026 crackdown on misleading advertisements and labelling non-compliance, which category of entities received the largest number of notices?

  • A. Manufacturers of packaged food and beverage products
  • B. Quick-service restaurant and food service establishments
  • C. E-commerce marketplace platforms and their warehouses
  • D. Standalone retail and wholesale food distribution outlets

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding FSSAI's action on food claims during 2025-2026: 1. Mondelez India withdrew health and nutrient-comparison claims for Bournvita and pulled related advertisements from e-commerce platforms after receiving an FSSAI notice. 2. Amway India dropped its '100% Pure Coconut Oil' branding and removed the 'Energy Drink' descriptor from its caffeinated XS product line. 3. FSSAI cancelled Mondelez India's food business licence for Bournvita as part of this enforcement drive. 4. FSSAI directed makers of caffeinated beverages to stop using the term 'energy drink', on the ground that no standard has been notified for that product category. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Mondelez India withdrew health and nutrient-comparison claims for Bournvita and pulled related advertisements from e-commerce platforms after receiving an FSSAI notice.
  2. Amway India dropped its '100% Pure Coconut Oil' branding and removed the 'Energy Drink' descriptor from its caffeinated XS product line.
  3. FSSAI cancelled Mondelez India's food business licence for Bournvita as part of this enforcement drive.
  4. FSSAI directed makers of caffeinated beverages to stop using the term 'energy drink', on the ground that no standard has been notified for that product category.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q9. Within FSSAI, which organ is composed of the Chairpersons of all the Scientific Panels together with six independent scientific experts not affiliated to any panel, and provides the scientific opinions on which food standards rest?

  • A. The Central Advisory Committee of the Food Authority
  • B. The Scientific Committee of the Food Authority
  • C. The Standards Review Group of the Food Authority
  • D. The Food Safety Appellate Tribunal of the Food Authority

Q10. With reference to the classification of claims under the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018, consider the following statements: 1. A nutrient content claim describes the level of a nutrient contained in a food, using expressions such as 'source of', 'high in' or 'low in', whereas a nutrient comparative claim compares the nutrient levels or energy value of two or more foods, using expressions such as 'reduced', 'less than' or 'more than'. 2. Unlike a nutrition claim, a health claim may extend to a claim of reduction of disease risk. 3. A non-addition claim, such as 'no added sugars' or 'no added sodium salts', is treated by the Regulations as a variety of health claim rather than as a separate category of claim. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A nutrient content claim describes the level of a nutrient contained in a food, using expressions such as 'source of', 'high in' or 'low in', whereas a nutrient comparative claim compares the nutrient levels or energy value of two or more foods, using expressions such as 'reduced', 'less than' or 'more than'.
  2. Unlike a nutrition claim, a health claim may extend to a claim of reduction of disease risk.
  3. A non-addition claim, such as 'no added sugars' or 'no added sodium salts', is treated by the Regulations as a variety of health claim rather than as a separate category of claim.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3