EDIBLE OIL
Diwali 2026 Special Foods: 20+ Traditional Indian Sweets, Savoury Snacks and Regional Delicacies to Enjoy Today
Diwali 2026 is being celebrated today, November 8, with traditional sweets and savoury snacks adding flavour to the festivities. Explore popular Diwali favourites such as kaju katli, besan ladoo, gujiya, jalebi, chakli, namak pare and chivda, along with regional specialities from Maharashtra, Gujarat, North India and South India. Discover the festive foods enjoyed across the country.
FDA suspends 43 food business licences across Maharashtra during Diwali inspections
Maharashtra FDA took action during a special Diwali enforcement drive by suspending 43 food business licenses. Inspections were conducted across seven divisions in the state, which included major cities like Mumbai and Nashik. Violations of food safety requirements led to the suspensions and the seizure of food articles worth Rs 63.09 lakh.
Diwali 2026 Gift Ideas: What India Is Actually Buying This Year — From Gourmet Hampers to Smart Gadgets
In 2026, Diwali gifting trends are shifting towards practical and personalized choices, moving away from the classic sweets. Gifts in demand now include gourmet food, home décor, electronics, and items reflecting personal style. Additionally, many are opting for wellness products and experiential gifts. It’s important to align gifts with the recipient's tastes and budget, as meaningful selections carry more weight than opulent choices.
Winning at Diwali gifting: Ditch the mithai, bring on the bling
Diwali is celebrated with vibrant decorations, festive gatherings, and traditional rituals in India this year. Businesses are experiencing a significant increase in online sales leading up to the holidays. Families gather to enjoy rich cultural customs and unique gifting practices during this festive season. Various products, ranging from gold coins to luxury home items, are popular during this time.
FDA suspends 105 food business licences, Blinkit, Zepto among them; orders closure of 7 outlets
Maharashtra FDA has suspended the licences of 105 food outlets, including those linked to Blinkit and Zepto, and ordered seven establishments to shut following inspections ahead of Diwali. The two-day drive uncovered hygiene and food safety violations, leading to the seizure of 39,485 kg of food articles worth Rs 1.35 crore.
Trusted names, new game: India's FMCG giants reload old guns for changing tastes
India's FMCG companies are expanding into new product categories by leveraging the trust associated with their established brands. Hindustan Unilever has launched Horlicks Protein Powder, targeting consumers seeking protein-rich products. Emami is introducing new products across baby care and specialized scalp care under its existing brands. Marico has entered the shampoo market with Parachute Advansed Protein Shampoo, capitalizing on its hair-care equity.
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India's October consumer inflation likely nears top of RBI target on food costs: Reuters poll
India's consumer inflation is projected to rise in October, mainly driven by significant increases in food prices. Economists expect food inflation to reach 8.20%, reflecting ongoing market pressures. Rising global food prices and higher input costs contribute to the inflationary environment. The Reserve Bank of India anticipates inflation to average 5.2% for the current financial year. A rate hike is likely to occur in the central bank's upcoming policy meeting.
India's palm oil imports hit 14-month high, soyoil purchases set record
In October, India experienced a surge in palm oil imports to 866,000 metric tons. Soyoil imports reached a record high of 653,000 tons, reflecting increased demand. The overall edible oil imports rose by 13%, reaching 1.74 million tons during the festive season. This demand is driven by concerns about limited domestic supplies and El Nino-related crop damage.
Marico profit jumps 31%, flags rising input costs amid West Asia woes
Marico has reported a 13% increase in consolidated revenue, driven by strong volume growth in India and international markets. The company highlighted challenges from rising input costs due to geopolitical tensions and adverse weather circumstances. Managing director Saugata Gupta expressed awareness of potential inflation effects, especially in rural areas. Marico aims for mid-20% EBITDA growth by FY27 and expects annual revenue to exceed ₹15,000 crore.
Maharashtra FDA suspends 19 food licences; acts against Patanjali distributor over 'adulteration'
In a recent operation, the Maharashtra FDA suspended licenses of 19 food business operators for violations. They seized food articles worth over Rs 9 crore across multiple divisions in the state. This included significant amounts of Patanjali cow ghee found to be misbranded and adulterated. Further, the FDA registered FIRs, arrested several individuals, and sealed multiple establishments for serious hygiene issues.
Marico Q2 Results: Net profit jumps 31% YoY to Rs 550 crore, revenue rises 12%
Marico reported a 31% YoY rise in Q2FY27 net profit to Rs 550 crore, while revenue grew 12% to Rs 3,897 crore. EBITDA increased 27%, margins expanded to 18.2%, and management expects double-digit growth during FY27.
Finance ministry estimates India’s Q2 FY27 GDP growth at 7.35%
The finance ministry’s nowcasting model estimates India’s GDP will grow 7.35% in Q2 FY27, following 7.8% growth in the previous quarter, supported by stronger industrial output, energy consumption, port traffic, GST collections and automobile sales.
IIT Kharagpur and Absolute launch Smart Scout AI project for soybean farming
Absolute and IIT Kharagpur are developing an early warning system for soybean farmers to minimize crop losses. The Smart Scout project aims to detect lodging risks, assess damage, and estimate yields using artificial intelligence. This initiative is part of the Quad-backed AI-ENGAGE program focusing on agricultural innovations. Pilot trials will be conducted across major soybean-growing states in India over the next three years.
India may import more food, feed and farm commodities as drought hits crops
Amid predictions of drought in India this financial year, food and agricultural imports are anticipated to rise sharply. With serious reductions in kharif soybean and groundnut production, import requests are growing. The sugar and poultry industries are grappling with soaring feed costs, prompting an extension for raw sugar imports to be granted.
Hindustan Unilever looks to stronger FY27, but commodity inflation threatens to squeeze margins
Hindustan Unilever expects commodity inflation to continue impacting margins in the near term. The company anticipates better growth in FY27 due to strategic portfolio and channel transformations. In its recent financial result, HUL reported a 15% underlying sales growth and an 8% increase in EBITDA. The Home Care and Beauty segments led the growth with double-digit increases in sales and volume.
AWL Agri Business experiences 2% profit drop, emphasises growth in packaged food and exports
AWL Agri Business has reported a 2% decline in consolidated net profit for the September quarter. Revenue from operations, however, increased by 26.1%, reaching ₹22,270 crore. The company's food and FMCG business saw significant growth, with a 32% year-on-year rise in revenue. AWL plans to focus on expanding its packaged food offerings and entering new markets. Additionally, the company aims to develop the pulses category, which presents attractive profit margins.
The grease hunters of Bengaluru want Leftover fryer oil to fuel India’s Jets
Bengaluru has become a hub for innovative biofuel initiatives as collectors harvest old cooking oil from restaurants for energy production. With India’s substantial reliance on imported crude oil, the drive to tap into domestic energy sources grows stronger. Major oil enterprises are setting lofty targets for integrating sustainable aviation fuel and biodiesel into their operations.
India's a call-out market, but there's room to grow: Nestle
Nestle SA reports that 37% of urban households in India purchase Maggi noodles monthly. The instant noodles segment is outpacing overall food sector growth in the country. Nestle is investing in its Maggi and KitKat brands as they capture consumer preferences for convenience and diversity. Despite a revenue increase, food inflation remains a significant concern for the company. Regulatory scrutiny on Nestle India's labeling practices has also emerged recently.
The food Indians buy is changing, and so is the scrutiny of what companies promise
India's Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued over 150 notices to various food and beverage companies. These notices address misleading advertisements, false claims, and labeling violations concerning multiple products. Regulatory actions involve well-known brands like ITC, AWL Agri Business, Dabur, and Hindustan Unilever. Additionally, serious food-safety violations have been flagged against companies like Priyagold and Dodla Dairy.
BL Agro heads to Africa with Rs 7,000 crore Tanzania bet; targets edible oil, dairy
BL Agro plans to invest Rs 7000 crore in Tanzania over the next ten years for international expansion. The company will focus on edible oils, dairy, animal husbandry, agriculture, and manufacturing. This investment aims to build an integrated ecosystem, leveraging Tanzania’s agricultural resources with Indian technology.
Sweet sellers face heat over shelf life rules ahead of Diwali
Watchdog agencies in states such as Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are among those that have made this mandatory. The directive aims to help consumers assess freshness as inspections have revealed that buyers were not always given clear information about when sweets were made or how long they remained suitable for consumption, the agencies said.
FMCG brands turn up the volume on ads as costs and scrutiny rise
Multiple packaged goods companies are increasing their advertising expenditures to maintain consumer demand amid rising inflation. Nestle India reported a significant rise in ad spending during the September quarter to enhance brand trust. Regulatory scrutiny from the FSSAI has prompted brands to emphasize safety and integrity in their advertising. Influencer-led marketing efforts are expected to grow significantly during the upcoming festive season.
India-New Zealand FTA comes into force, offers zero-duty access for Indian goods, new visa pathways
The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into force on Tuesday, marking India's 17th operational free trade pact and opening up new opportunities for Indian exporters.
Eateries cut corners as high costs and hygiene crackdowns take a toll
New strategies include pausing high-cost menu items and introducing smaller portions for diners. Increased operational expenses due to regulatory compliance have also led to price hikes for consumers. Many restaurant operators indicate they must share some inflation costs with patrons to maintain profitability. Consequently, price increases of 10-15% are expected across several restaurants in Mumbai.
FMCG firms grapple with input cost inflation in Q2, brace for margin pressure in H2
FMCG companies are experiencing increased margin pressure as input costs continue to rise. Rising inflation is affecting profitability, forcing firms to consider price hikes after the festive season. Companies are currently absorbing some costs to maintain consumer demand in urban and rural markets. The expectations for the second half of FY27 remain cautious amidst fluctuating commodity prices. Consumer purchasing behavior may shift if food prices increase or rural incomes decline.
Import of GM soybeans into India should not be allowed at all, say processors
Processors across India are urging the government to impose a ban on the import of genetically modified soybeans from abroad. They argue that such imports could harm local farmers and make the economy overly dependent on foreign sources.
Domino's Pizza outlets among 25 food establishments facing licence suspension in Maharashtra: FDA seizes 81,330 kg of food worth Rs 1.73 crore
Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of 25 food establishments and four edible oil and spice manufacturing units during a statewide crackdown on food safety violations. Six Domino’s Pizza outlets in Pune division were among those affected. The FDA also seized around 81,330 kg of suspected substandard, adulterated or mislabelled food products worth Rs 1.73 crore from 37 establishments across six divisions.
FSSAI issues notices to BigBasket, Flipkart, Gemini Edibles over misleading claims
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India issued notices to three companies for misleading health claims. Gemini Edibles & Fats India, as well as e-commerce platforms BigBasket and Flipkart India, were implicated. The claims regarding cholesterol and health benefits of rice bran oil do not comply with regulations. Furthermore, Gemini was found to lack a valid license for e-commerce activities.
India's edible oil imports dip 7 pc to 15.44 lakh ton in Sep: SEA
India's edible oil imports fell by 7 percent in September, totaling 15.44 lakh tonnes. The decline was attributed to a sharp decrease in crude sunflower oil shipments, which dropped significantly. However, total edible oil imports increased by 3 percent for the first eleven months of the oil year. Refined oil imports saw a notable decline, while crude edible oil imports rose substantially during the same period.
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