The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated legal proceedings against Nestlé India Ltd over alleged violations involving its infant nutrition products.
The action covers promotional claims associated with NAN Excella Pro Stage 1 and Lactogen Pro 1, along with a follow-up formula that recorded Biotin levels below the prescribed requirement during laboratory testing.
FSSAI examined the products and promotional material listed on e-commerce platforms. During the review, it identified claims relating to the composition and digestibility of the infant nutrition products.
Promotional material for NAN Excella Pro Stage 1 referred to “5 HMOs” and “Whey Protein”. In the case of Lactogen Pro 1, the product was described as containing “Whey Protein” that was easy to digest. FSSAI sought an explanation from Nestlé India regarding these claims.
The regulator concluded that both products breached Regulation 4(2) of the FSS (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020. The provision restricts promotional claims intended to boost the sale of infant foods.
FSSAI also found the claims to be in violation of Section 3 of the IMS Act, 1992, which prohibits the advertisement and promotion of infant foods.
In a separate matter, a Nestlé India-manufactured sample of Follow-up Formula was found to be sub-standard for its Biotin content during laboratory analysis. The sample was subsequently sent to a Referral Laboratory for re-analysis.
The second examination also determined that the product failed to meet the prescribed Biotin requirement under the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020.
FSSAI has filed three separate adjudication cases against M/s Nestlé India Limited in connection with the three products.
Nestlé India shares were trading at around Rs 1,347 per share at the time of reporting, down Rs 25, or 1.82 per cent, from the previous close of Rs 1,372 per share.
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