FSSAI Cracks Down on Misleading Claims by Energy Drink Brands in India

FSSAI Takes Action Against Energy Drink Manufacturers

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently issued notices to six companies producing energy drinks for allegedly making false claims about their products. This initiative is part of FSSAI's effort to enhance regulation in a rapidly growing market segment. According to an announcement on Instagram, several brands, including Pepsico India Holdings Pvt.’s Adrenaline Rush, Monster Energy, Campa Energy Drink from Reliance Industries Ltd., Hell Energy Pvt.’s Hell Drink, and Red Bull, have been cited for making functional claims that violate local regulations.

FSSAI pointed out that claims such as “vitalizes body and mind,” “enhances focus,” and “boosts energy levels” are not allowed for food items. The authority noted that India has yet to establish specific standards for energy drinks. This is not an isolated incident; FSSAI has intensified its enforcement actions in recent years. For instance, last year, it prohibited manufacturers of sugar-based rehydration beverages from labeling their products as Oral Rehydration Solutions unless they complied with the World Health Organization’s guidelines.

According to the IMARC group, the energy drinks market in India was valued at $1.5 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to $2.9 billion by 2034, driven by urbanization, a youthful demographic, and increasing fitness consciousness. Additionally, regulatory bodies have been proactive in ensuring that manufacturing and expiry dates are clearly displayed. Over the past two years, both the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) and FSSAI have mandated the clear display of essential information, including expiry dates, although compliance has been inconsistent across various platforms. Recently, FSSAI has issued approximately 27 notices to e-commerce Food Business Operators (FBOs) regarding these issues.