Delhi High Court seeks Centre’s response to FSSAI’s plea against Fortune’s refined soybean oil ‘ban’

Image is for representational purposes only. Photo: Special arrangement

The Delhi High Court has sought a response from the Center and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on a petition by AWL Agri Business Ltd. challenging FSSAI’s action banning the manufacture and sale of its “Fortune Soya Health Refined Soyabean Oil” due to alleged misleading statements and claims on the labels.

The company challenged the FSSAI action based on two claims made on the product packaging: “100% Vegetables” and “Cholesterol Free – For a Healthy Lifestyle”.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued notices to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, FSSAI and other authorities and directed them to file their replies within four weeks. The court adjourned the matter for further hearing on November 5.

The authorities argued that no part of the cause of action arose in Delhi as the company was based in Gujarat and the product was manufactured and marketed outside the capital.

However, the court noted that the actions primarily challenged by the company were taken by the FSSAI in Delhi and formed the basis for the reliefs sought in the petition.

“Both the respondents Nos. 3 and 4 (FSSAI) are authorities within the local jurisdiction of this court. Hence, so far as the main suits sought in the petition are concerned, the persons and authorities against whom the suits are sought are subject to the jurisdiction of this court,” the order issued on Monday (August 31) said.

Unsuitable product

According to the petition, FSSAI issued a show-cause notice to the company on July 17 citing violations of the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018 and the Food Safety and Standards (Labeling and Display) Regulations, 2020.

On the same day, FSSAI issued a notice to the Food Safety Commissioners of all States and Union Territories, directing them to ensure that products marked as ‘non-conforming products’ are not manufactured, distributed, marketed or sold in their respective jurisdictions.

The petitioner argued that the notice effectively classified its soybean oil as a “non-conforming product” and exposed the company and its distributors, wholesalers, wholesalers and retailers to enforcement action across the country.

The company further claimed that some of its distributors informed it in August that food safety officials had visited their facility and ordered them to stop selling the product. After the action, retailers reportedly refused new orders and distributors sought to return existing stock, the petition said.

Published – 01 Sep 2026 21:07 IST