Tukaram Mundhe, Maharashtra’s Food Commissioner and one of India’s most stringent food safety officials, has called for greater ethical responsibility from food and beverage companies following revelations that some products sold in India contain different ingredient and nutrition profiles compared to those offered abroad. His remarks respond to a recent report highlighting inconsistencies in product formulations and labeling between India and international markets.
Mundhe criticized companies for adopting divergent standards, emphasizing that compliance with legal regulations is insufficient without adherence to ethical practices. “Where are ethics in this? Companies should not only abide with legal compliances but also practice ethical behaviour. Why the different standard?” he said in an interview on Friday. “They have responsibility towards society,” he added, underscoring the need for transparency in the industry.
The report cited examples such as a can of Fanta sold in London containing 63 calories, whereas the equivalent product in India was found to have nearly three times as much sugar and 185 calories. These discrepancies have prompted criticism from consumer advocates and health experts who question the criteria used by multinational corporations in product formulation and labeling.
Major global players operating in India’s food and beverage sector, including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestle, did not provide comments on Mundhe’s statements when approached. These companies are key participants in a market valued at over $100 billion.
Mundhe has gained recognition for rigorous enforcement efforts in Maharashtra, India’s wealthiest state and home to Mumbai. In recent weeks, his teams have conducted inspections and raids on numerous establishments, including international chains like Domino’s and McDonald’s, resulting in closures due to substandard hygiene.
The debate over product standards coincides with ongoing controversy surrounding India’s stalled implementation of front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition warning labels. Reuters reported that corporations such as Coca-Cola and industry groups representing Nestle and PepsiCo actively lobbied against the proposed labeling regulations. These companies have long applied voluntary warning labels in European markets but resisted mandatory requirements in India.
During a contentious government meeting in March, a Coca-Cola executive argued that warning labels would be ineffective because consumers would continue to purchase sugary items and that Indian doctors were adequately guiding patients on dietary choices. Mundhe challenged this position in a LinkedIn post, asserting that warning labels convey respect for consumer intelligence and that preventative measures should not rely solely on individuals already ill. “Warning labels don’t insult consumer intelligence, they respect it,” he wrote. “The argument that doctors already advise patients misses the point: prevention should not depend on already being sick.”
India’s Supreme Court has expressed frustration over delays in enforcing FOP labeling, emphasizing the urgent need for their introduction to improve public health.
In response to the controversy, Nestle’s global CEO stated that the company supports involving manufacturers in the drafting of FOP labeling regulations to ensure they are designed based on scientific principles. The discussions continue as India balances public health priorities with industry concerns amid evolving consumer awareness and regulatory frameworks.