Is Imported Candy Safe? Consumer Rights & Food Safety Laws in India
Buying candy from specialty stores like House of Candy? Learn about FSSAI regulations, labelling requirements, and consumer rights. A lawyer explains what to check before purchasing imported confectionery in India.
6/8/20256 min read
Is Your Candy Safe? A Closer Look at House of Candy
Look, I get it. Walking into a fancy candy store feels like stepping into Willy Wonka's factory. Rows of colorful imported chocolates, exotic gummy bears, those Instagram-worthy candy jars. Places like House of Candy have become quite popular, especially in metro cities. Kids love them, adults feel nostalgic, and everyone wants to try something different from the usual Cadbury or Parle.
But here's the thing, and I say this as someone who's worked on consumer protection cases for years, not everything that looks attractive on the shelf is necessarily safe or even legal to sell in India. And when it comes to food, especially stuff your kids are eating, you need to know what you're actually buying.
What's Really Going On Here?
So what's the issue with specialty candy stores? It's not that all of them are doing something wrong. Many are perfectly legitimate. But the confectionery retail space particularly stores selling imported candies has some common problems that most consumers don't even think about.
First, there's the whole question of whether these imported products actually meet Indian food safety standards. See, just because something is sold freely in the US or UK doesn't automatically mean it's okay to sell here. India has its own set of rules about what ingredients can go into food products, especially when it comes to artificial colors, preservatives, and certain additives. Some colors that are perfectly legal abroad are actually banned here because they've been linked to health issues, particularly in children.
Second, labelling. By law, every packaged food product sold in India must have proper labelling in Hindi or English. That means ingredients, manufacturing date, expiry date, FSSAI license number. But walk into some of these stores and you'll find candies with labels only in Korean, Japanese, or other languages. How are you supposed to know what's in it? What if your child has a nut allergy and the label doesn't tell you it contains almonds?
Third , and this is a big one,many stores selling imported confectionery don't have the proper licenses themselves, or they're selling products that haven't been cleared for import into India. Every food business in India needs an FSSAI license. Every single one. And imported food products need specific clearances. It's not like buying a shirt from abroad; food has different rules because it goes inside your body.
Why Should You Care?
Here's where it gets real. I've seen cases where children have had serious allergic reactions to candies that didn't have proper allergen warnings. I've seen products with banned artificial colors being sold openly. One case involved chocolates that had gone bad because they were stored in regular room temperature instead of proper cool storage, but the shopkeeper kept selling them anyway.
Think about it this way: you're paying premium prices at these specialty stores. Sometimes double or triple what you'd pay for regular candy. You're doing that because you think you're getting something better, something special, maybe even something safer because it's imported and expensive. But if that product doesn't meet Indian safety standards, or if it's expired, or if the store isn't even legally allowed to sell it ,then you're not just wasting money, you're potentially putting your family's health at risk.
And it's not just about immediate reactions. Some artificial colors and additives have been linked to hyperactivity in children, digestive problems, and other long-term health issues. Now, I'm not trying to scare you. Most candies in moderation are fine. But you have a right to know what's in them, and you have a right to expect that what's being sold to you meets basic safety standards.
What Does the Law Say?
Alright, let me break down the legal side in simple terms.
The main law you need to know about is the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Under this law, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India – we call it FSSAI – sets all the rules for food safety. Every food business, from the smallest tea stall to the biggest candy store, needs an FSSAI license or registration.
Now, for packaged food products, there are specific labelling regulations. The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011, spell out exactly what information must be on every package. This includes the name of the product, ingredients list, nutritional information, manufacturing and expiry dates, FSSAI license number, manufacturer's address, and if it's imported, the importer's details too. All this must be in Hindi or English.
For imported products, there are additional rules. They need import clearances, and they must meet Indian standards even if they meet international standards. You can't just bring in any candy from abroad and start selling it. The importer needs to ensure it complies with Indian regulations.
Then there's the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. This is your shield against unfair trade practices and defective products. Under this law, you have the right to:
Be informed about what you're buying
Be protected against products that don't meet safety standards
Get compensation if you're sold something defective or misrepresented
If a store sells you candy that's expired, or mislabeled, or contains banned ingredients, that's a violation of your consumer rights. You can file a complaint with the Consumer Commission.
There's also the Legal Metrology Act which deals with weights, measures, and MRP. That MRP you see on the package? The shop cannot charge you more than that.
What You Need to Watch Out For
Let me give you some practical things to check before you buy:
Check the FSSAI license:
Every store selling food must display their FSSAI license. You can actually verify it online on the FSSAI website. If a store doesn't have one, or refuses to show it, that's a red flag. Walk out.
Read the label:
I know, those Japanese Kit-Kats look cool. But can you read what's in them? Is there a label in English or Hindi? If not, legally, they shouldn't be selling it. More importantly, how will you know if there's something your kid is allergic to?
Look for dates:
Check both the manufacturing date and expiry date. I've seen stores selling chocolates that expired months ago, especially with imported stuff that doesn't move fast. Chocolate doesn't always look or smell bad when it expires, but it can still cause stomach problems.
Storage matters:
Chocolates and many candies need cool storage. If you see chocolate sitting in regular shelves in Indian heat, chances are they've melted and reformed multiple times. That white coating you sometimes see on chocolate? That's called bloom – it happens when chocolate is stored badly. It's not necessarily unsafe, but it shows poor handling.
Country of origin:
For imported items, there should be clear mention of which country it's from. If that information is missing, be suspicious.
Ingredients you can't pronounce:
Look, some chemical names are unavoidable. But if you see colors like Tartrazine (E102) or Sunset Yellow (E110), be aware that these are artificial colors that are restricted or need warnings in many countries because they've been linked to hyperactivity in children. Not banned in India, but worth knowing about.
What Can You Do?
If you've bought something and later realize it's expired, or the label is all wrong, or your child had a bad reaction:
First, keep the product and the bill. Don't throw them away. They're your evidence.
Second, report it to FSSAI. They have a helpline (1800-112-100) and you can also report through their website or app. Food Safety Officers can inspect the store and take action.
Third, if you've suffered any loss or harm, file a complaint with the Consumer Commission. For claims up to ₹1 crore, you can file at the District Consumer Commission. The process isn't as complicated as you might think, and there's no court fee for claims under ₹5 lakhs.
Fourth, tell others. Leave honest reviews, inform your community WhatsApp group. Consumer awareness is powerful.
The Bottom Line
Listen, I'm not saying don't buy candy for your kids. I'm not even saying don't shop at specialty stores like House of Candy or similar places. What I am saying is: be aware. Check things. Ask questions. A good store will have proper licenses, proper storage, and products with proper labelling. They'll be happy to answer your questions about their products.
But if a store is selling products without proper labels, without visible licensing, with improper storage – that's not just bad business, it's illegal. And you have every right to demand better.
Your child's health isn't worth the risk just for some fancy imported gummy bears. There are plenty of perfectly safe treats available. Make informed choices. Read labels. Ask questions. And if something seems off, trust your gut.
Remember, the law is on your side. FSSAI exists to protect you. The Consumer Protection Act exists to protect you. But these protections only work when consumers are aware and willing to speak up.
So next time you're at a candy store, take that extra minute to check the label, ask about the license, look at storage conditions. It's not being difficult; it's being responsible. And that's what good parenting – and good consumer behavior – looks like.
Relevant Authorities and Sources
Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (District, State, and National)
Legal Metrology Departments (State-level)
Written by Shruti Shrivastava
Founder – TheFraudWatch.in
Consumer Lawyer | Public Interest Researcher
Disclaimer
This article is provided for consumer awareness and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with a qualified legal professional regarding specific situations. The information is based on applicable laws and regulations as understood at the time of writing. Laws are subject to change and their interpretation may vary. For specific legal concerns or questions about particular products or businesses, please consult appropriate authorities or seek professional legal counsel. The author and TheFraudWatch assume no liability for actions taken based on this information.