India’s food safety regulator has launched inquiries into a series of viral consumer complaints, issuing notices to Nestlé India, KFC, Flipkart and food brand Open Secret over allegations ranging from insect contamination to poor hygiene standards.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said it has taken cognisance of complaints circulating on social media and sought detailed explanations from the companies concerned. The regulator clarified that the notices are part of a preliminary fact-finding exercise and should not be construed as findings of wrongdoing.
FSSAI steps in after viral complaints
The action reflects the growing role of social media in highlighting consumer grievances, with regulators increasingly taking note of complaints that gain widespread public attention online. The latest notices stem from three separate incidents involving a Maggi noodles packet, a KFC outlet in Andhra Pradesh and an Open Secret product purchased through Flipkart Minutes.
Notice to Nestlé India over Maggi complaint
FSSAI issued a notice to Nestlé India after allegations emerged that insects or larvae were found inside a packet of Maggi noodles. The regulator has asked the company to submit a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR), including information on the vendor involved, quality-control records of the concerned batch, findings of its internal investigation and measures taken to prevent similar incidents. Authorities have also sought details of any corrective action taken to trace and remove potentially affected products from the supply chain. Following reports of the notice, Nestlé India’s shares fell over three per cent in trade.
Nestlé denies allegations
Nestlé India rejected the contamination claims, stating that it had submitted a detailed response to the regulator along with quality records, retained samples and laboratory test reports. According to the company, the complainant has not made the product available for examination and could not be contacted for further verification. Nestlé said tests conducted on retained batch samples as well as products sourced from the market found no evidence of infestation.
The company added that an FSSAI-accredited laboratory independently examined the samples and confirmed compliance with prescribed quality standards. Nestlé maintained that it follows stringent food safety and quality-assurance protocols across its manufacturing facilities and expressed confidence that the facts would support its position.
KFC outlet under scrutiny
In a separate case, FSSAI issued a notice to a KFC outlet located at MVR Mall in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, following allegations of unhygienic conditions at the restaurant. The regulator has sought details regarding food handling practices, storage conditions, sanitation standards, waste disposal systems, pest-control measures and employee hygiene procedures. The outlet operator has also been asked to furnish documentary evidence of corrective and preventive measures taken to address the concerns.
Devyani International to investigate
Devyani International, one of KFC’s largest franchise operators in India, confirmed receiving the notice and said it would thoroughly investigate the allegations before submitting its response to the regulator. Sapphire Foods, another major KFC franchise operator, clarified that the outlet mentioned in the complaint is not under its management and is operated by Devyani International.
Open Secret and Flipkart Minutes receive notice
The third notice pertains to allegations that insects were found in Open Secret’s “Un-junked Dates” product, reportedly ordered through Flipkart Minutes. FSSAI has sought quality-control records, batch details and information regarding the steps taken by the company to investigate the complaint and identify the source of the issue. The regulator has also requested details of any product recalls or withdrawals and measures being implemented to prevent a recurrence. As the product was reportedly delivered through Flipkart Minutes, both the brand and the delivery platform have been asked to provide information as part of the inquiry.
Growing role of social media
The cases underscore how viral social media posts are increasingly triggering regulatory scrutiny and prompting authorities to seek explanations from food manufacturers, restaurant chains and delivery platforms. Industry observers note that regulators are facing growing pressure to respond quickly to complaints that attract significant public attention, particularly those involving widely consumed products.
No conclusions yet
FSSAI has reiterated that the notices do not amount to proof of contamination or violations. The purpose of the exercise is to gather facts, examine evidence and determine whether any further regulatory action is required. The companies have been directed to submit detailed responses and supporting documents, after which the regulator will decide on the next course of action based on available evidence, laboratory findings and any additional investigations.
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