The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken regulatory action against spice brand Everest after testing raised concerns about the quality and labelling of its hing.

The regulator has also identified compliance-related issues involving three other Everest products — egg curry masala, chicken masala and garam masala.

Separately, FSSAI has issued notices to Laljee Godhu and Company in connection with alleged breaches of food safety requirements.

The action comes at a time when food labelling rules are again under the spotlight. FSSAI has informed the Supreme Court about a proposed warning symbol that could soon appear on packaged food products containing high quantities of sugar, salt or saturated fat.

Under the proposal, such products would carry a prominent red, hexagonal warning label designed to make nutritional risks easier for consumers to identify while shopping.

The proposal was placed before the top court shortly after a Supreme Court bench headed by Justice JB Pardiwala criticised the government and FSSAI over the delay in implementing front-of-pack nutrition warnings.

The proposed labelling framework has, however, met resistance from sections of the food and beverage industry. Coca-Cola, along with industry bodies representing companies including Nestle and PepsiCo, has raised objections to certain aspects of the proposed regulations.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has called on food manufacturers and other businesses to adopt a stronger consumer-first approach.

Mundhe emphasised that companies should not view food regulations merely as a set of minimum legal requirements, but should take greater responsibility for the safety and interests of consumers.

The latest action against Everest comes as authorities continue to examine how packaged food products are labelled, manufactured and marketed, amid growing scrutiny of food safety standards in India.