The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to Nestle India and Hindustan Unilever for misleading claims and violations of food safety regulations. The agency highlighted specific issues with Nestle’s products, including Nescafé Intense Café Cappuccino, Nescafé Choco Mocha, and Nescafé Chilled Latte. FSSAI noted discrepancies in labeling, where the front of the packaging described them as "Flavoured Milk," while the back categorized them as "Proprietary Food – 1.12 Dairy Based Drink." The accompanying online descriptions misrepresented the products, leading to conclusions that they were compliant with the Flavoured Milk standard, contradicting regulations.
Additionally, a notice addressed Nestle Resource Renal Vanilla powder, citing its requirement for prior approval due to its classification as a special dietary food, which had not been obtained. The product also lacked necessary vegetarian/non-vegetarian labeling.
On the other hand, Hindustan Unilever’s Horlicks Women’s Plus Chocolate was scrutinized for its claims regarding bone health and nutritional benefits. The FSSAI identified several assertions as misleading, particularly the "No Added Sugar" claim due to the presence of maltodextrin. Moreover, declarations like “Healthy Birth Weight” on the Horlicks Mother’s Plus Kesar labeling were flagged for implying health benefits that could mislead consumers.
The FSSAI has mandated that licensing authorities and e-commerce platforms take appropriate actions in response to these findings. The agency also announced the immediate suspension of licenses for two other food businesses—Bala Ji Food Products due to ongoing non-compliance and Sukhdarshan Pharma for unsatisfactory hygiene standards.
Why this story matters:
- Consumer protection and trust in food products are vital for public health.
Key takeaway:
- Regulatory bodies are actively enforcing compliance to ensure that food labeling and advertising meet established safety standards.
Opposing viewpoint:
- Companies may argue that marketing language is often subjective and intended for consumer engagement rather than strict adherence to regulatory definitions.
