World Connect News
Ground Report (Special Correspondent, New Delhi):
Food safety regulator FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) has initiated strict legal action against FMCG giant Nestle India . FSSAI has filed three separate cases against Nestle for misleading claims and below standard biotin content in infant nutrition products. Following this action, pressure was also seen on Nestle India shares in the stock market.
On which products and claims is Nestle in trouble?
According to the FSSAI investigation report, the company’s infant formula products, such as NAN Excella Pro Stage 1 and Lactogen Pro 1, were found to be in violation of regulations regarding advertising and promotional claims. Claims such as the easy-to-digest whey protein in Lactogen Pro 1 were found to be misleading. The FSSAI stated that these claims were in direct violation of the Infant Milk Substitutes Act (IMS Act, 1992) and the FSS (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations 2020.
Biotin content found to be sub-standard
Beyond the promotional claims, lab testing revealed that a sample of a Nestlé follow-up formula failed to meet the required biotin levels. Following the initial lab test, a retest at a referral laboratory still found the sample to contain less biotin than the recommended standard. Based on this, FSSAI has taken a firm stance and filed three formal cases under various sections.