CCPA imposes Rs 1 lakh penalty on Storia Foods and English Oven for misleading '100%' claims under Consumer Protection Act 2019

Key facts

• The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh each on Storia Foods and Beverages Private Limited and Mrs. Bectors Food Specialities Limited (English Oven) for misleading '100%' claims on food labels.
• The action was taken under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and the Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements, 2022.
• Storia Foods claimed its products were '100% Tender Coconut Water' and '100%' fruit juices, but investigations revealed the coconut water was reconstituted from concentrate (9.6%) and contained preservative INS 202, contradicting the '100% Natural' claim.
• English Oven advertised '100% Atta Bread' and '100% Whole Wheat Bread', but the company admitted its bread contained only 87% whole wheat flour, and the CCPA found the combination with 'Zero Maida' created a false impression.
• The CCPA directed both companies to immediately withdraw the misleading claims from product packaging, websites, and all digital platforms.