India
Scroll.in Launches India’s First Systematic Investigation into Misleading Food Advertising: Independent digital news platform Scroll.in has announced the launch of what it describes as India’s first systematic investigation into deceptive food advertising practices, seeking public support to complete an extensive ground-level reporting project. The details you can view on https://scroll.in/article/1091553/we-need-your-help-to-investigate-misleading-food-ads-in-india
The investigation focuses on misleading claims made by food and beverage companies, including “sugar-free” products that allegedly contain sugar, fruit juices marketed as natural despite artificial ingredients, and health drinks promoted to children despite high sugar content. According to Scroll, many of these advertisements had previously been flagged by India’s food safety regulator but were reportedly never acted upon.
The media organization revealed that it has accessed an internal database containing around 170 advertisements identified as deceptive and potentially in violation of food safety regulations. The publication claims the findings expose significant gaps in enforcement mechanisms at a time when ultra-processed foods and unhealthy dietary habits are contributing to rising cases of obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases in India.
Public health advocates have increasingly raised concerns over aggressive marketing of high-fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) foods in India. Several studies and reports have highlighted how celebrity endorsements, emotional messaging, and vague health claims are frequently used to market unhealthy food products, especially to children and young consumers.
In its appeal to readers, Scroll stated that while it has already analyzed the data, additional funding is required to expand the investigation beyond documents and databases into on-ground reporting across the country. The project aims to examine how misleading food advertisements continue to influence consumer behavior despite existing regulations.
The initiative comes amid broader debates around food safety oversight, transparency, and public health in India. Recent discussions involving the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and concerns over regulatory enforcement have further intensified scrutiny of food advertising practices
