The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has formally issued notices to major food corporations Hindustan Unilever (HUL) and Nestlé India, citing concerns over misleading marketing claims and failures to comply with regulatory standards. The action follows an investigation into the packaging, advertising, and ingredient disclosures of several high-profile products currently available in the Indian market, including nutritional health drinks and ready-to-drink coffee beverages.
Regarding Hindustan Unilever, the regulator specifically scrutinized the marketing of Horlicks Women's Plus Chocolate Nutrition Drink. According to the FSSAI, claims such as "Nutrition for Strong Bones," "Clinically Proven to Help Improve Bone Strength in 6 Months," and "Improves Bone Health" were found to be non-compliant with established regulations. The authority also flagged the use of the term "healthy muscles" as a violation of rules governing the use of the word "healthy" on food packaging. Furthermore, the FSSAI challenged the "No Added Sugar" label, noting that the presence of maltodextrin renders such claims misleading to consumers.
HUL also faced scrutiny over its "Horlicks Mother's Plus Kesar" product. The regulator identified that labels and advertisements highlighting "Healthy Birth Weight" and phrases such as "For baby's healthy birth weight" were potentially misleading and in direct contravention of the FSS (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018. The FSSAI pointed out that additional claims linking protein and DHA content to pregnancy outcomes, listed as part of the product name on e-commerce platforms, further added to the regulatory concerns. The company has been directed to provide a formal response to these findings within a stipulated timeframe, with the regulator warning of potential further action if the explanation is found unsatisfactory.
In parallel, the FSSAI has initiated proceedings against Nestlé India, alongside Schreiber Dynamix Dairies Private Ltd and Lotus Dairy Products Pvt Ltd, primarily concerning the "Nescafe Ready-to-Drink" range. Investigations into products such as "Nescafe Intense Cafe" Cappuccino, "Nescafe Choco Mocha," and "Nescafe Chilled Latte" revealed significant discrepancies between physical labels and online marketplace descriptions. While the front of the packaging categorized these items as "Flavoured Milk," the reverse side identified them as "Proprietary Food - Dairy Based Drink," leading to confusion and inconsistency that the regulator termed "incorrect."
Beyond labeling issues, the regulator has raised concerns regarding a specialized nutritional product, "Nestle Resource Renal Vanilla Flavour Powder." Intended for the dietary management of individuals with chronic kidney disease, the product requires mandatory prior approval under the FSS Regulations, 2022. The FSSAI confirmed that the company failed to secure this necessary clearance, which has rendered the product non-compliant with current safety and manufacturing standards.
The regulatory body has also instructed licensing authorities and relevant e-commerce platforms to take necessary action in light of these discrepancies. As of the latest reports, the affected brands have not yet issued a public response to the notices. The FSSAI’s move underscores a broader effort to ensure that health and nutritional claims in the packaged food sector adhere strictly to the science-backed standards set forth in Indian food safety legislation.
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