Bakeries, restaurants in Kozhikode found flouting FSSAI labelling norms

Bakeries in Kozhikode flout FSSAI regulations by selling items without ingredient labels, risking consumer health and safety.

Despite the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) mandating proper ingredient labelling under its 2020 Labelling and Display Regulations, which require all packaged food products to list ingredients along with manufacture and expiry dates, several bakeries and restaurants in Kozhikode continue to flout the rules.

Ingredient labels are missing on most bakery products such as halwas, cookies, chips, and other fried items.

While most packaged goods in bakeries carry labels, flavoured halwas like tender coconut or passion fruit often do not. Many small-scale outlets sell items without ingredient lists, and owners often appear unaware of the guidelines, leaving consumers unable to make informed choices.

The lack of awareness extends to customers too, as many rely on long-standing trust instead of exercising their right to know what goes into the items they consume.

“I never check labels. I have been buying from here for as long as I can remember,” said Leelavathi K.S., a customer at a bakery in Nadakkavu. Sreya Thilakaraj, a corporate employee, shared a similar view, saying she only checks the expiry date and is not concerned about the ingredients.

C.E. Chakkunny, a member of the District Consumer Protection Council, voiced concern over the trend. “Consumers are unaware of their rights, and bakery owners exploit this by skipping ingredient labels,” he said, emphasising the need for government-led awareness campaigns, starting in schools.

Selling packaged food without proper ingredient labelling is considered misbranding and is punishable with a fine of up to ₹3 lakh. Around 20 cases of misbranding were filed last year, most detected during inspections and a few through public complaints, said Assistant Commissioner (Food Safety) A. Sakeer Hussain.