New Delhi, Sept. 15 -- As India's food regulator steps up scrutiny, investors are changing how they assess food and health-focused consumer startups, turning product claims, ingredient quality and supply-chain traceability into potential deal-breakers.

Investors are going beyond licences and certifications to examine whether claims on packaging can be substantiated, whether ingredients match those claims and whether manufacturers can be traced and audited. For some, weak evidence is now enough to walk away from a deal.

The shift comes as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has intensified enforcement across food and health-focused companies. Risk-based inspections rose from 11,904 in FY23 to 26,267 in FY25, accordin...