India : Award-winning Storia and Bectors Slapped Rs. 1 Lakh Fine by Consumer Watchdog over Misleading Claims
- Vineet Malik
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
By Vineet Malik | June 27, 2026 | India
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) passed two adverse orders on 9 and 18 June, by taking suo-motu cognizance against Storia Foods and Beverages Pvt. Ltd. and Mrs. Bectors Food Specialities Ltd. for falsely promoting its products as 100 percent pure and natural through misleading and deceptive advertisements
Storia Foods Brand Portfolio
Processed Beverages : Coconut Water, Milkshakes, Protein Shakes and Fruit Juices.
Mrs. Bectors Food Brand Portfolio
English Oven Bread, Biscuits along with Sauces and Condiments branded as Cremica.
The CCPA Order
The order was passed under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and the Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022.
“The term 100 percent is a precise and absolute numerical expression and must correspond exactly with the factual composition of the product.”
Storia Foods Products | Coconut Water and Juices
The claims made by the Co. pertaining to 100 percent Tender Coconut Water and 100 percent Natural Tender Coconut Water due to the clear ingredient declaration displayed on the packaging found to be containing water in different proportions and reconstituted Coconut Water Concentrate and more are misleading.
Furthermore, the CCPA noted that the word “Reconstituted” appeared in fine print/smaller font size on the product packaging column.
Ideally, it should have been displayed and printed in bold or highlighted along with 100 percent pure and natural as claimed by the Co. in its advertisements.
Additionally, the products also contained the preservative INS 2020 that clearly proves the claims made by the Co. are deceptive and misleading.
Likewise, the juice products contained water, fruit juice concentrate, fruit pulp and more.
Mrs. Bectors Food Products | 100 Percent Wheat Bread
On investigating the ingredients of English Oven 100 percent wheat (Atta) bread, the CCPA found that the bread contained only 87 percent whole wheat flour.
Based on this fact, the Watchdog stated “A product containing 87 percent whole wheat flour, whereas the Co. claiming it as 100 percent wheat bread is an attempt to mislead the Consumers.”
In its defense, the Counsels engaged by the Co. argued “We have included the phrase 100 percent wheat, merely to indicate that wheat flour was the sole grain source used.” However, the argument was rejected by the CCPA double-bench Court presided by the Hon’ble Chief Commissioner – Nidhi Khare and Hon’ble Commissioner – Anupam Mishra.
The CCPA in both the orders imposed Rs.1 Lakh financial penalty against Storia Foods and Beverages Pvt. Ltd. and Mrs. Bectors Food Specialities Ltd. and further issued stringent directions to submit a compliance report within 15 days and discontinue the false and misleading advertisements with immediate effect from all Print/Electronic Media including Social Media.
Warning issued by CCPA
The CCPA stated, it will continue to initiate enforcement action against such Cos. that resort to misleading consumers pertaining to quality and composition of its products. Cos. should not use absolute or exaggerated claims for commercial advantage.
The Consumer Watchdog noted that the traditional doctrine of ‘Caveat Emptor’ – the principle that says ‘let the buyer beware’ has undergone a marked transformation with the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The burden has now shifted to Caveat venditor – the principle of ‘let the seller beware.”
It further held that “Compliance with manufacturing rules does not offer a safe harbour for deceptive advertising.”
Promoters of Storia Foods and Beverages Pvt. Ltd.
Vishal Shah is the Founder and Managing Director of Mumbai based Storia Foods and Beverages Pvt. Ltd.
Launched in April 2017, Storia is present across 33+ cities in India across 50,000+ retail outlets.
In 2018, Storia bagged the ‘The Economic Times Promising Brands 2018’ award in the Food and Beverage category.
Promoters of Mrs. Bectors Food Specialties Ltd.
Padma Shri Mrs. Rajni Bector is the Founder and Anoop Bector is the Managing Director of Punjab based Mrs. Bectors Food Specialities Ltd.
It is pertinent to mention that Mrs. Rajni Bector was honoured with the Padma Shri Award by the President of India in 2021. Padma Shri Award is one of the most coveted and fourth highest civilian decoration in India.
The Padma Shri award is conferred in recognition of "distinguished contribution in various spheres of activity including the arts, education, industry, literature, science, acting, medicine, social service and public affairs". It is awarded by the Indian Government every year on India’s Republic Day.
Investigation conducted by The Revelation
On probing further, we found that Mrs. Bectors Food Specialities Ltd. is the only breads/buns suppliers to major Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chain McDonald's among others such as Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Burger King, Subway (under the name English Oven) along with Cloud Kitchens and Multiplexes in India.
Celebrity Endorsement and their Moral Quotient
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 hold endorsers legally and financially accountable for deceptive advertisements and misleading claims.
Bollywood Actor Ranbir Kapoor has been the brand ambassador for Storia Foods and Beverages since October 2022.
Storia Foods partnered with the Actor with an aim to bolster its promise of building a nutritionally stronger India and spread awareness for its fruit content shakes. The brand association kickstarted with the launch of a digital film.
Endorsements are not merely commercial acts; they are moral choices with real societal implications.
As per ASCI new guidelines, Celebrities must do due diligence and ensure that the claims made in their endorsements are not misleading. Celebrities must accept their social responsibility while making endorsement decisions.
Celebrities act as persuaders who create, change and reinforce the attitude of the consumers.
The Revelation tried to reach the Actor through text message and a phone call to seek his comments. However, the Actor’s Manager chose not to respond to our repeated attempts.
Morality underscores an old truth that cannot be ignored : “With Fame comes Responsibility”
The question arises, will the Actor Ranbir Kapoor be held accountable and tried for the alleged offence committed by him or will he be spared to endorse many other brands with false and misleading claims ?
The Irony
It is ironical, how Storia Foods and Beverages Pvt. Ltd. based on lies and deceit bagged an award within one year of its inception.
The promoters mindset to mislead health conscious people, in the name of adopting robust Research and Development (R&D) driven products on its website with a clear positioning to deliver superior health benefits with a vow to make the nation nutritionally stronger by inspiring a healthier lifestyle is nothing but an eye wash.
Given the misconduct of Mrs. Bectors Food Specialities Ltd., the Founder Mrs. Rajni Bector on moral grounds should return the prestigious Padma Shri Award to the Indian Government.
Also, the Indian Government should conduct an in-depth research about individuals, entities and the quality standards maintained by them and not confer such coveted Awards as freebies to individuals or entities who deliberately, knowingly and wilfully mislead the Consumers through sham advertising campaigns and play with their health.
Orders can be read here.
CCPA order passed against Storia Foods and Beverages Pvt. Ltd.
CCPA order passed against Mrs. Bectors Food Specialities Ltd.
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