Dabur Gets Delhi High Court Relief As FSSAI Ban on ‘100% Pure’ and ‘100% Natural’ Claims Is Stayed
Dabur has received interim relief from the Delhi High Court, which stayed an FSSAI order directing the FMCG company to stop selling products with claims like '100% Pure', '100% Natural' and '100% Organic'. Dabur challenged the order, arguing that due process was not followed and that the dispute involved labelling claims, not product safety issues.
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The Delhi High Court on Friday, August 7, granted interim relief to Dabur India, staying a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) order that directed the FMCG company to immediately stop selling several products carrying claims such as "100% Pure", "100% Natural" and "100% Organic". The court's decision came after Dabur challenged the regulator's August 3 order.
Justice Amit Mahajan, while hearing Dabur's petition, issued notices to the Centre, FSSAI and other respondents, and stayed the operation of the prohibitory order until further proceedings, Live Law reported. The interim relief allows Dabur to continue with the affected products while the legal challenge is considered. Dabur Honey, Ghee, Oil Cannot Use ‘100%’ Labels: FSSAI Issues Prohibition Order.
What Was FSSAI's Order Against Dabur?
In its August 3 order, FSSAI directed Dabur to discontinue the sale of products carrying certain "100%" claims, stating that such descriptions were ambiguous, difficult to verify objectively and could potentially mislead consumers.
The products covered under the order included:
- Dabur Honey
- Dabur Honey Squeezy
- Dabur Sunderbans Honey
- Dabur Himalayan Apple Cider Vinegar
- Dabur Virgin Coconut Oil
- Dabur Cow Ghee
- Real Activ 100% Tender Coconut Water
- Dabur Hommade Coconut Milk
- Dabur Organic Honey
The regulator's action was focused on product claims and labelling practices rather than the safety or quality of the products. Why Did FSSAI Ban Old Monk, Antiquity Blue, Royal Challenge, and Other Popular Liquor Brands?
Why Did Dabur Approach the Delhi High Court?
Dabur argued before the court that FSSAI did not follow the required procedure before issuing the prohibitory order. The company said it was not issued a show-cause notice or an improvement notice before the action was taken. Dabur claimed it was not given an opportunity to explain or defend the claims used on its product packaging.
According to the company, the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018 require the regulator to first seek clarification from a food business operator and consider its response before taking such action.
Dabur told the court that the FSSAI order had immediate business consequences. The company argued that implementing the directive would require it to recall or repackage products already available in the market.
Dabur also claimed that the order was publicised on social media and that some channel partners and online retailers were advised not to sell the affected products, affecting its business operations.
Dabur Questions Legal Basis of FSSAI Action
Apart from procedural concerns, Dabur also challenged the legal basis of the regulator's order. The company argued that Section 18 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provides guiding principles but does not independently empower a Designated Officer to prohibit product sales.
Dabur further argued that the FSSAI order did not explain specifically how terms such as "100% Pure" or "100% Natural" violated existing regulations.
The company said that such claims cannot automatically be considered misleading, particularly for products made from a single ingredient or products consisting entirely of natural ingredients.
A key argument presented by Dabur before the court was that the dispute relates only to advertising and labelling claims. The company pointed out that FSSAI has not alleged that the products are adulterated, unsafe, spurious or sub-standard. According to Dabur, the regulator's concern is limited to the wording used on product labels and advertisements.
Dabur has sought the cancellation of the August 3 prohibitory order and interim protection until the case is decided. The Delhi High Court's interim stay means the FSSAI order will remain suspended until further hearings take place.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 07, 2026 02:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
