FSSAI Issues Notices to Nestlé India and Hindustan Unilever for Misleading Claims

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken significant action by issuing notices to Nestlé India Ltd and Hindustan Unilever Ltd over allegations of misleading claims and regulatory non-compliance. This action was taken on Saturday, targeting specific products from both companies: Hindustan Unilever's Horlicks Mother's Plus Kesar and Nestlé India's Resource Renal vanilla-flavored powder, which is aimed at individuals with chronic kidney disease.

The notice to Hindustan Unilever highlights concerns regarding the claims made on the Horlicks Mother's Plus Kesar product. The FSSAI's investigation revealed that the product's labeling and advertising included potentially misleading statements such as "Healthy Birth Weight" and assertions that it supports a baby's healthy birth weight. These claims were found to violate the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018, as they suggest health benefits that are not substantiated by the product's composition.

In a similar vein, Nestlé India's Resource Renal powder has been flagged for not obtaining the necessary regulatory approval required for products intended for specific dietary management. The FSSAI noted that this product, which targets individuals with conservatively treated chronic kidney disease, must comply with the Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, and Prebiotic and Probiotic Food) Regulations, 2022. Furthermore, the product label failed to include the required vegetarian or non-vegetarian symbol, further breaching labeling regulations.

The implications of these notices are significant for both companies, as they are required to respond within a specified timeframe. Failure to provide a satisfactory explanation could lead to further actions under food safety laws, which may include penalties or restrictions on the sale of the affected products. This situation underscores the importance of compliance with food safety regulations in maintaining consumer trust and ensuring product integrity.

Looking ahead, both Nestlé India and Hindustan Unilever must prepare their responses to the FSSAI's findings. The outcome of this regulatory scrutiny could set a precedent for how food companies address compliance and advertising claims in India, impacting not only their operations but also the broader industry standards for food safety and consumer protection.