Food Safety Alert: Ambica Dairy Products Penalized for Selling Imitation Milk Halwa in Gujarat

Food Safety

December 5, 2025

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in Ahmedabad has seized dairy analogue products worth ₹1.75 lakh from Ambica Dairy Products after officials found them being marketed as Milk Halwa in violation of licensing norms. The manufacturer is licensed only to produce traditional dairy items such as Khoa, and the sale of imitation products raises both consumer safety and regulatory concerns.

During a routine inspection, FSSAI officers discovered that Ambica Dairy Products was producing a dairy analogue—a product typically made using non-dairy fats—and labeling it as Milk Halwa. Authorities noted that this misrepresentation not only breaches the terms of the company’s FSSAI license but also poses risks to consumers relying on accurate food labeling for nutritional information and quality assurance.

Dairy analogues often do not meet the nutritional profile of genuine milk-based sweets. Selling such products as authentic milk items can mislead buyers and undermine confidence in traditional Indian confectionery. Regulators emphasized that compliance with labeling and production standards is critical to maintaining food safety, market fairness, and consumer trust.

FSSAI officials reaffirmed that manufacturers must explicitly disclose the presence of dairy substitutes in their products, and any attempt to market them as conventional dairy items is strictly prohibited. The Ahmedabad seizure is part of the authority’s broader efforts to monitor food safety standards across Gujarat, particularly in segments where imitation products threaten authenticity.

The agency also highlighted that such actions serve to protect both consumers and legitimate dairy producers who follow prescribed norms. With growing demand for transparent labeling and safe food products, FSSAI has indicated that inspections and enforcement will continue rigorously. Industry analysts expect stricter penalties and more frequent crackdowns in the coming months as regulators aim to safeguard public health and maintain integrity in India’s traditional sweets market.

Sanook Kitchen Launches First India Restaurant in Gurugram, Targets Affordable Thai Dining Market

Hotels & Restaurants

SnackTeam

December 5, 2025

Sanook Kitchen, the popular Thai restaurant chain with a strong international presence, has entered the Indian market with the opening of its first outlet at Reach 3 Roads in Gurugram’s Sector 70. The launch marks the beginning of the brand’s India expansion strategy, aimed at introducing an affordable, everyday Thai dining experience to a wider consumer base.

The new restaurant brings Sanook Kitchen’s full menu to Indian diners, featuring the dishes that have driven the brand’s success in other markets. The offerings include classic Thai curries, wok-fried noodle preparations, rice bowls, appetisers and beverages. The company said the kitchen team follows traditional cooking techniques and fresh-ingredient sourcing practices to retain authenticity while ensuring the pricing remains accessible for regular, repeat dining.

Rohan Kichlu, Chief Executive Officer for New Business Ventures at Sanook Kitchen, said the debut store represents an important step in the chain’s growth plans. He noted that Reach 3 Roads, with its established footfall and mixed residential catchment, provided a natural starting point for the brand’s India journey. According to Kichlu, the company sees strong long-term potential in India’s casual dining segment, especially for global cuisines that appeal to young and urban consumers.

The management at Reach Group views the addition of Sanook Kitchen as strengthening the high-street centre’s overall food and beverage lineup. Ishwin Singh Hora, Director at Reach Group, said the arrival of the restaurant supports the destination’s goal of catering to the everyday needs of the surrounding neighbourhoods while widening the choice of international dining options.

With its first location now operational, Sanook Kitchen adds to the growing roster of global food brands looking to build a presence in North India’s premium high-street clusters. Reach 3 Roads continues to expand its role as a community-centric hub with a mix of restaurants, cafés and retail formats designed for residents in and around Sector 70.

India Emerges as Fastest-Growing Scotch Whisky Destination Ahead of Major Duty Reduction

Beverages

SnackTeam

December 5, 2025

India’s appetite for premium spirits is setting the stage for a major shift in the global whisky trade, with the Scotch Whisky Association saying the country is on track to become the largest market for Scotch worldwide. The industry body’s assessment comes as India and the United Kingdom move closer to concluding the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, a deal that is expected to lower import duties and bring long-awaited price relief for millions of whisky consumers.

The association, which represents influential producers including Diageo, Pernod Ricard, William Grant & Sons, Whyte & Mackay and Suntory Global Spirits, said the trade pact is likely to deepen business ties and spark fresh investments across the supply chain. Its chief executive, Mark Kent, noted that the agreement could take effect by the middle of next year once the UK Parliament completes its approval process.

Kent said reduced import duties are expected to bring retail prices down by nearly ten percent, creating a broader consumer base and supporting domestic players that blend bulk Scotch for Indian-made foreign liquor. He added that this shift would benefit not only distilleries but also farms, logistic operators, bottling partners, restaurants and tourism businesses linked to the premium spirits category.

While the pact promises to remove long-standing market barriers, the association holds firm on an issue that has divided producers on both sides. Indian distillers have repeatedly urged the UK to recognise spirits matured for less than three years as whisky. Kent clarified that products not meeting the UK’s legal standards cannot be labelled whisky, regardless of market preferences.

India is already the single largest destination for Scotch by volume, with an industry that dwarfs Scotch production in size. The changing tariff landscape, Kent said, is encouraging new brands to consider entering India, while Indian companies are increasingly exploring investment opportunities in Scottish distilleries. He described the moment as a turning point for two-way cooperation in a fast-growing global spirits market.

Wherehouse Shutdown Turns Messy As Co Founder Vaibhav Chawla Faces Arrest And Workers Are Taken To The Police Station

Business

SnackTeam

December 4, 2025

Delhi’s startup circle woke up to a tense development this week after Vaibhav Chawla, the co founder of the warehousing startup Wherehouse, was taken into custody around one in the morning on Tuesday. The arrest followed what Chawla called a frivolous complaint filed by a client, landing at a time when the company had already announced its shutdown due to severe operational challenges.

Chawla had revealed the closure in a detailed LinkedIn post titled Shutting Down Wherehouse, where he explained that a dispute with a client had spiralled far beyond what he expected. The issue began on June 1, when the client emailed him claiming unpaid dues. Chawla rejected the demand on contractual grounds, after which the tone of communication reportedly took an abusive turn. By June 16, the company terminated the agreement, calling the client’s behaviour threatening and unacceptable.

Instead of clearing the pending amount of one lakh twenty eight thousand rupees, the client approached the Economic Offences Wing with a criminal complaint sometime after July 15. Wherehouse submitted its defence on July 23 and called the complaint motivated and aimed at forcing payment through pressure.

By mid November, officers from the Nangaloi Extension Police Station began contacting Chawla but refused to share any supporting documents. Between November 17 and 28, officers allegedly visited the warehouse multiple times, interrupting work and insisting that Chawla appear alone, without legal representation. Matters intensified when a police officer allegedly took ten warehouse workers to the station, releasing them only after their families intervened.

The situation reached its peak early Tuesday morning with Chawla’s arrest, confirmed online by entrepreneur Shachin Bharadwa. The startup community is now watching closely as the case unfolds.

Farah Khan Turns Her YouTube Channel Into A Money Machine And Says It Now Beats Her Entire Film And TV Earnings

Business

SnackTeam

December 4, 2025

Farah Khan has quietly built one of the most successful creator businesses in India, and the scale of it is surprising even to people who have followed her for years. In a recent interview, she mentioned that her YouTube earnings alone have now crossed what she could make through her entire film and television career. The statement may sound dramatic, but a look at her viewership numbers makes it clear why the shift happened.

Farah tapped into something very few celebrities manage to do. She took her natural recall value, her wide circle of well known names from the industry and her own kitchen, and turned them into a content property that feels warm, familiar and genuine. The secret ingredient is Dilip, who has now become the unexpected hero of the channel. His calm, unhurried presence brings an easy energy to the videos, making viewers feel like they are part of the cooking sessions rather than watching a staged format.

The formula has become so strong that the moment a guest goes viral on any platform, you will usually find them cooking with Farah and Dilip soon after, smiling over a stove and crossing a million views within hours. Brands have taken notice too. Many campaigns now treat Dilip as the breakout face, and Farah has turned her own image into a business that regularly outperforms traditional entertainment projects in reach and monetisation.

Her rise sends a message to anyone from film or television who is struggling with inconsistent work. Waiting for a casting call or a production house nod is no longer the only path. Content built on one’s own recognition and trust can become a standalone business. Farah proved that homegrown reach can beat box office numbers when done right.

Ripple Foods Secures 17 Million Dollars in Funding and Names Former General Mills Leader as CEO

Growth

SnackTeam

December 4, 2025

Ripple Foods has secured a fresh round of funding as the plant based dairy segment continues to draw investor interest in the United States. The California based company, known for its high protein, allergen free pea milk formulations, has raised 17 million dollars in new capital. The round was led by Material Impact and Rich Products Ventures, with continued backing from existing investors S2G Ventures, Prelude Ventures and Fall Line Capital.

The company has been positioning itself as a science driven alternative to both traditional dairy and the broader nut milk category. Ripple’s proprietary method extracts protein from yellow peas, allowing it to market products with higher protein levels, lower sugar and a cleaner ingredient profile compared with many competing plant based beverages. Industry estimates place the global plant based milk market at more than 25 billion dollars, with pea based formulations accounting for a small but rapidly expanding share.

Alongside the funding, Ripple Foods has appointed Becky O’Grady as its new chief executive officer. O’Grady brings more than two decades of experience from General Mills where she held senior leadership roles including President of Global Haagen Dazs and Chief Marketing Officer for the company’s international operations. Her mandate will involve strengthening Ripple’s retail presence, accelerating product development and sharpening the brand’s positioning in a category that has grown increasingly competitive.

Investors say the capital will be used to deepen manufacturing capabilities, widen distribution channels and support research tied to future product lines in creamers, protein shakes and kids’ nutrition. The company’s leadership believes that consumers are shifting toward plant based dairy not only for environmental reasons but also because the expectations for taste and nutritional value have risen.

Ripple Foods aims to use this momentum to build a more resilient footprint across mainstream grocery and food service channels in the coming year.

Mankind Pharma Launches PetStar Delight, Targets India’s Rs 1,500-Crore Cat Food Category

Growth

SnackTeam

December 4, 2025

Mankind Pharma has widened its presence in India’s pet nutrition market with the introduction of PetStar Delight, a new portfolio crafted specifically for cats. The company confirmed the launch on Thursday, marking its formal entry into a category that has expanded rapidly in recent years. India’s cat food market, currently valued at around Rs 1,500 crore, is growing at nearly twenty percent annually, driven by rising pet ownership in urban centres and a shift toward packaged nutrition.

The new line extends Mankind’s PetStar family, which first entered stores in 2022 with a dog food range. The company says the past three years have shown steady uptick in organised pet care spending, prompting it to move deeper into specialised formulations. Rajeev Juneja, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Mankind Pharma, noted that the cat segment has become one of the fastest-expanding pockets within the overall pet care industry. He said the new launch reflects the company’s intent to build a scientifically informed portfolio across species.

The company’s pet food division has formulated the products around functional ingredients designed to address common feline needs. Dr Piyush Prashant, who leads the division, explained that the range includes blends aimed at gut comfort, urinary system support, hairball management and cognitive development in adult and young cats. He added that attention to these areas has become a key deciding factor for pet owners who are increasingly reading labels and seeking targeted nutrition.

PetStar Delight is produced in Thailand, a major hub for global pet food manufacturing, and will be distributed across India through Mankind’s existing retail and trade channels. The line will debut with three flavour variants. With this launch, the company aims to strengthen its position in a market that has seen both multinational and domestic brands invest more aggressively, reflecting the rising acceptance of premium pet diets among Indian households.

Swiggy Eyes QIP Fundraising of Rs 10,000 Crore Amid Intensifying Quick Commerce Competition

Quick Commerce

SnackTeam

December 4, 2025

Indian food delivery major Swiggy Ltd. is preparing to raise up to Rs 10,000 crore from institutional investors as early as next week through a qualified institutional placement (QIP), according to people familiar with the matter. The company has shortlisted Citigroup India, JPMorgan India, and Kotak Mahindra Capital to manage the share sale.

The move is part of Swiggy’s broader strategy to strengthen its cash reserves and accelerate expansion across food delivery and quick commerce, where competition has intensified sharply in recent months. The company’s board first approved the fundraising plan in early November 2025, allowing Swiggy to raise capital through QIP and other permitted channels, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.

Funds from the placement are expected to support multiple priorities. Swiggy plans to expand its quick commerce infrastructure, including dark stores and local warehouses, invest in technology and cloud systems, enhance customer acquisition, and step up brand marketing efforts. The capital will also be used for repaying or pre-paying borrowings and potentially pursuing strategic acquisitions. These steps aim to consolidate Swiggy’s position amid rapid sector growth and mounting competition from players such as Zomato’s Blinkit and Zepto.

The timing coincides with significant funding activity in the instant commerce space. Zepto recently raised $450 million at a valuation of $7 billion, while Blinkit is targeting a dark store network of 3,000 outlets by March 2027. Analysts say these developments have created an environment where deep capital reserves are increasingly essential for companies seeking to scale quickly and maintain market share.

Swiggy co-founder and CEO Sriharsha Majety has emphasized the importance of long-term growth investments and infrastructure development as key to staying competitive. By bolstering financial resources through the QIP, Swiggy looks to reinforce its leadership in India’s fast-evolving food delivery and instant commerce sector.

Arabian Delites Accelerates Expansion with Cloud Kitchens, Plans 100 Outlets in India

Food

SnackTeam

December 4, 2025

Middle Eastern food brand Arabian Delites is accelerating its expansion across India, with a goal of reaching 100 outlets by 2028. The company plans to double its current store count by 2026, signaling a strong commitment to scaling its presence in the fast-growing cloud-kitchen and delivery segment.

The growth push comes alongside the launch of Arabian Delites’ third cloud kitchen in Delhi, situated in Vasant Kunj. This facility marks the brand’s sixth outlet in the national capital region and strengthens its delivery network across Delhi-NCR. The company aims to leverage cloud kitchens as a core part of its strategy, catering to the rising appetite for Lebanese cuisine and Middle Eastern flavors in India’s urban markets.

2025 has been a pivotal year for Arabian Delites. The brand has fortified its operational infrastructure by doubling its workforce and upgrading technology systems to support delivery efficiency and order management. The menu has also expanded, now featuring a wider range of Middle Eastern desserts, including traditional baklava, aiming to appeal to both regular and first-time customers.

“Our focus is on sustainable growth while delivering authentic Middle Eastern experiences to Indian consumers,” said Mandeep Singh, Director of Arabian Delites. “By investing in operational excellence and expanding our delivery network, we are preparing to scale responsibly across key urban and emerging markets.”

Industry analysts note that the cloud-kitchen-led model is increasingly popular among food-service brands looking to reduce overheads while reaching a broader consumer base. With rising consumer demand for international cuisines and online food delivery in Tier-I and Tier-II cities, Arabian Delites’ expansion plan positions the brand to capture significant market share.

As it continues to roll out new outlets and enhance delivery operations, Arabian Delites is aiming not just for quantity but also for consistency in taste and customer experience, establishing itself as a serious contender in India’s premium Middle Eastern food segment.

Pan Masala Labeling Update: RSP Display Mandatory Across All Pack Sizes

Business

SnackTeam

December 4, 2025

The Department of Consumer Affairs has issued a major update to pan masala packaging regulations, mandating that all packs, regardless of size, display the Retail Sale Price and other statutory declarations. The notification, issued through GSR 881(E), will take effect from February 1, 2026, ending the long-standing exemption for small packs weighing 10 grams or less.

Under the amended Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, manufacturers, packers, and importers of pan masala will be required to ensure full compliance. The changes are aimed at strengthening consumer protection by providing transparent pricing information across all pack sizes and eliminating the possibility of misleading or inconsistent pricing.

Previously, smaller packs were not required to carry the retail price, often making it difficult for consumers to compare costs or for authorities to verify correct taxation. The government said that by enforcing uniform labeling, consumers will be better informed about the products they purchase and the prices they pay.

The amendment also aligns with tax compliance objectives. Displaying the Retail Sale Price facilitates accurate application of Goods and Services Tax on all pan masala products. This is expected to support seamless enforcement of RSP-based GST decisions by the GST Council and ensure proper revenue collection across every pack size, from the smallest single-serving sachet to bulk units.

Officials note that the move reflects a broader push for clarity in packaged commodities, where consumer awareness and transparency are priorities. Industry participants are advised to adjust their production, labeling, and supply chain processes to meet the February deadline, avoiding penalties for non-compliance.

The Department of Consumer Affairs emphasized that the amendment not only enhances regulatory oversight but also empowers consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, strengthening trust in product pricing across the pan masala market.

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