The Delhi High Court on Friday stayed the FSSAI order that barred Dabur from selling products, such as honey, cow ghee, and edible oils, branded as ‘100% Pure’ or ‘100% Natural’.
Hearing Dabur’s plea, Justice Amit Mahajan observed that the company had been selling these products for decades and had established a prima facie case for interim relief, noting that the regulator issued the order without first providing the company an opportunity to be heard.
“The court is prima facie of the opinion that the prohibitory order ought not to have been passed without giving an opportunity of hearing. Till the next date of hearing, the impugned order is stayed,” the judge said.
The matter has been listed for hearing after two weeks.
The development comes after a prohibitory order dated August 3, 2026, issued by the FSSAI’s Designated Officer, directing Dabur to immediately stop the sale of a number of food products bearing “100%” claims.
Appearing for Dabur, senior counsel argued that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) directive violated the principles of natural justice as it was issued without a show-cause notice or a hearing.
Representing the Centre, the standing counsel defended the regulator’s action, contending that Dabur had previously received “improvement notices” and advisories, and that the company’s “100 per cent” claims on food products were misleading.
Rejecting the government’s request to withhold interim relief, the court remarked, “They have been selling it for decades. Now suddenly you can’t.”
The dispute stems from an FSSAI announcement on Monday, in which the regulator said it had issued a prohibition order against Dabur over the sale of food products carrying “100 per cent” claims. The order covers products including honey, apple cider vinegar, virgin coconut oil, sesame oil, cow ghee, coconut water, coconut milk and other similar items.
According to the FSSAI, such claims violate the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising & Claims) Regulations, 2018, as they are ambiguous, unverifiable and likely to mislead consumers.
(With inputs from PTI)