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Last Updated:July 13, 2026, 12:57 IST
Users can flag adulterated food, expired products being sold, poor hygiene at food establishments, incorrect labelling, and other violations, besides misleading claims on packaging
Can Prisoners Choose Their Own Food? The simple answer is no. Under India's prison rules, inmates cannot order food the way customers do in a restaurant or hotel. Every state follows its own prison manual, although many have adopted principles laid down in the Model Prison Manual of 2016, prepared by the Union Home Ministry. Meals are designed to meet nutritional requirements rather than individual preferences. Typically, prisoners receive: morning tea and light breakfast, lunch with dal, seasonal vegetables, rice and rotis, evening tea and dinner with similar staple foods. Special dishes such as kheer or poori may be served during festivals or on specific occasions.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has urged consumers to report unsafe food practices through its mobile app, as part of a broader crackdown on companies over alleged food safety, labelling, and advertising violations. Don’t just notice it, report it! Unsafe food practices affect everyone, the regulator said in a post on X, urging people to turn awareness into action via the Food Safety Connect App.
The push comes days after FSSAI issued nine notices to Swiggy Instamart over consumer complaints alleging contaminated eggs, milk, and spoilt food items, in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
According to FSSAI, the app has been developed to strengthen consumer participation in food safety enforcement, and once a complaint is submitted, it is forwarded to the concerned food safety authority for verification and appropriate action.
What Else Has FSSAI Cracked Down On Recently?
The regulator’s enforcement drive has spanned multiple fronts in recent weeks. In one case, it shut down a spice manufacturing unit in Lucknow after an inspection uncovered alleged adulteration, seizing suspected adulterated products and collecting samples for lab analysis.
Separately, FSSAI issued notices to several alcoholic beverage manufacturers over the alleged use of unauthorised flavouring agents and misleading age-related claims, and to multiple beverage makers for allegedly marketing products as “energy drinks" in violation of norms.
Which Companies Have Been Flagged For Labelling Violations?
FSSAI recently served notices to Lotte India, Ferns N Petals, Kubera Foods, and Heritage Foods, citing alleged misleading advertising and labelling issues.
The companies have been asked to explain within seven days why action should not be taken against them. The alleged violations include claims such as “100 per cent vegetarian," “100 per cent natural," “premium chocolate," “fresh," and “no preservatives," along with inaccurate nutritional information and insufficient ingredient disclosures.
What Can Consumers Report Through The App?
Users can flag adulterated food, expired products being sold, poor hygiene at food establishments, incorrect labelling, and other food safety violations, besides misleading claims on packaging. The app also lets users verify whether a food business is FSSAI-licensed or registered, and check advisories issued by the regulator.
Step-By-Step: How To Report Unsafe Food Via The Food Safety Connect App
| Step | What to Do |
| 1 | Download the “Food Safety Connect" app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, or visit the web portal at foscos.fssai.gov.in/consumergrievance |
| 2 | Register or log in, and select the option to lodge a new complaint/grievance |
| 3 | Enter details of the food business — name, address, and FSSAI licence/registration number if known (scan the QR code displayed at the outlet, if available) |
| 4 | Describe the nature of the complaint — adulteration, poor hygiene, expired products, mislabelling, or misleading claims |
| 5 | Upload supporting evidence such as photos, videos, or documents |
| 6 | Submit the complaint — a unique tracking ID is generated automatically |
| 7 | Track the status of the complaint using the ID; it is routed to the concerned jurisdictional food safety authority for verification and action |
| 8 | If unsatisfied with the resolution, use the app’s “re-raise complaint" feature to escalate to the next level of authority |
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About the Author
Sumedha Kirti is a Chief Sub Editor with over eight years of experience — both at the desk and reporting. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Miranda House. Kirti has previously worked with news...Read More
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