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Astha Grover

Associate in the Pharma and Life Sciences Practice at the Delhi-NCR office of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. Astha can be reached at astha.grover@cyrilshroff.com

In Part 1 of the blog post series, we explored the complex and multi-layered regulatory framework governing alcohol advertising and packaging in India. We discussed how both central and state laws — shaped by constitutional mandates, statutory provisions, and evolving self-regulatory guidelines — intersect to create a challenging compliance landscape. As we highlighted, the rise of surrogate advertising and the tightening grip of regulators have significantly reshaped industry practices. In this second part, we turn our focus to the fast-evolving regulatory environment specific to digital media, packaging and labelling norms, and the divergent approaches adopted by Indian states. As online platforms become increasingly central to brand communication and consumer engagement, and as product labelling becomes a site of regulatory scrutiny, it is essential to unpack the distinct legal developments shaping the alcohol industry’s future in India.Continue Reading Pouring Over the Law: Navigating Alcohol Advertising & Packaging Regulations in India – Part 2

Pouring Over the Law: Navigating Alcohol Advertising & Packaging Regulations in India – Part 1

CAM Comment: Part 1 of this blog post series aims to shed light on the multi-layered regulatory framework surrounding the advertisement and promotion of alcoholic beverages in India.

Introduction

India presents a uniquely complex regulatory environment for the alcoholic beverages industry. Unlike many sectors governed primarily by central legislation, alcohol falls under the purview of states, creating a fragmented landscape of laws governing production, sale, advertising, and consumption. This complexity stems from the Indian Constitution, which places production,  possession, transport, purchase and sale of intoxicating liquors on the State List, granting states legislative power. This contrasts with the Directive Principle in Article 47, which encourages states to prohibit intoxicating drinks, highlighting an intrinsic conflict between public health objectives and the significant state revenue generated from alcohol excise duties.Continue Reading Pouring Over the Law: Navigating Alcohol Advertising & Packaging Regulations in India – Part 1

Understanding regulatory safeguards for influencer marketing of nutraceuticals in India

Introduction

The last decade witnessed an increasing number of nutraceuticals — in the form of teas, protein powders, or hair-growth gummies — being marketed by influencers and celebrities on social media platforms. The Indian nutraceutical market is experiencing significant growth, mirrored by the meteoric rise in influencer marketing as a potent channel to reach health-conscious consumers. Reports suggest that the Indian nutraceutical market is projected to touch $10.19 billion by 2026. While collaborations between nutraceutical brands and social media influencers offer compelling opportunities for engagement and sales, this intersection operates within a complex and strictly regulated legal environment. Navigating this landscape requires adherence to a multi-layered framework, encompassing inter alia the regulations laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (“FSSAI”), the code set out by Advertising Standards Council of India (“ASCI”), and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (“CP Act”). In this article, we outline the key regulatory considerations and underscore the necessity of ensuring compliant nutraceutical marketing campaigns in India.Continue Reading Understanding regulatory safeguards for influencer marketing of nutraceuticals in India