The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has initiated legal action against Nestle India over non compliances with regards to regulations for infant food products. It said it found the company in violation of regulations that prohibit advertisements and promotions of infant food products besides other violations. Also it found one product sample non-conforming with respect to the prescribed Biotin requirement
In a social media post, FSSAI said that it examined the infant food products of Swiss packaged food major namely NAN Excella Pro Stage 1 and Lactogen Pro and their promotional materials available on e-commerce platforms.
“In NAN Excella Pro Stage 1, claims relating to “5 HMOs” and “Whey Protein” were observed, while in Lactogen Pro 1, a claim relating to “Whey Protein” being easy to digest was observed. Accordingly, clarifications were sought from Nestlé India regarding the above claims,” it added
The food safety authority said both products were found to be in contravention of Regulation 4(2) of the FSS (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020. The regulations restrict promotional claims and material intended to increase the saleability of infant foods, and Section 3 of the IMS Act, 1992, which prohibits their advertisement and promotion.
“A sample of Follow-up Formula manufactured by Nestlé India Limited was found sub-standard with respect to Biotin content during laboratory analysis,” it added
The sample was subsequently referred for re-analysis, and the Referral Laboratory also found the sample non-conforming with respect to the prescribed Biotin requirement under the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020
“In view of the above contraventions, three separate adjudication cases have been filed against Nestlé India Limited in respect of the three products,” FSSAI stated.