FSSAI issues notices to Nestlé India and Hindustan Unilever over misleading food product claims

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to Nestlé India and Hindustan Unilever Limited over misleading claims on the packaging of some of their food products. 

In a social media post, the food regulator said Hindustan Unilever had made potentially misleading claims on its Horlicks Women’s Plus Chocolate Nutrition Drink and Horlicks Mother’s Plus Kesar products. These include claims relating to bone strength, healthy birth weight and the use of the term “No Added Sugar”. FSSAI said some claims were found to be misleading or inconsistent with applicable food safety regulations. The company has been asked to submit its response within the stipulated period.

In a separate case, Nestlé India, along with two dairy manufacturers, has been issued notices over the labelling and online descriptions of its Nescafé ready-to-drink coffee beverages. The regulator flagged inconsistencies in product descriptions and their declared food categories. FSSAI has also issued a notice to Nestlé India over its Resource Renal Vanilla Flavour Powder, intended for the dietary management of people with chronic kidney disease.

According to the regulator, the product was marketed without the required prior approval. The companies have been asked to respond to the notices, and further action may follow based on their explanations and the applicable regulations.