New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated three separate adjudication cases against Nestle India Limited over alleged non-compliance involving infant nutrition products and their promotional material.
It examined NAN Excella Pro Stage 1, Lactogen Pro 1, and a follow-up formula along with their promotional material available on e-commerce platforms, the FSSAI said.
In NAN Excella Pro Stage 1, the regulator flagged claims relating to “5HMOs” and “Whey Protein,” while in Lactogen Pro 1, it observed a claim describing “Whey Protein” as easy to digest, the regulator said in a social media post.
It had sought clarifications from Nestle India on these claims, FSSAI has said.
Both the products were found to be in contravention of Regulation 4(2) of the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, which restrict promotional claims or material aimed at increasing the saleability of infant foods, as well as Section 3 of the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992, which bars the advertisement or promotion of such products, as reported by PTI.
A sample of a follow-up formula manufactured by Nestle India was found sub-standard for Biotin content during laboratory analysis. The sample was sent for re-analysis, and the referral laboratory also found it non-conforming with the Biotin requirement prescribed under the 2020 regulations, the food regulator has said.
FSSAI has filed three separate adjudication cases against Nestle India in respect of the three products, it added.
The announcement led to shares of Nestle India going down by nearly 2 per cent to Rs 1,345.45 on the BSE around 1.10 pm on Friday.
On June 13, shares of Nestle India dropped over 3 per cent after FSSAI issued notice to the company flagging concerns over its product, Maggi noodles.
The company received the notice over allegations that insects or larvae were found inside a packet of Maggi noodles. FSSAI has sought a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR), including vendor details, internal quality-check logs for the batch in question, corrective measures taken to remove affected products from the supply chain, and steps being implemented to prevent a recurrence.
The FSSAI has said it has taken action against various food business operators (FBOs) for serious violations of its laws and regulations over the past few months.
The regulator has cracked down on energy drink and alcoholic beverage makers.
While elaborating on its recent actions, the FSSAI said it has seized products of many companies due to violations.
As many as 12 notices have also been sent to e-commerce companies Amazon and Flipkart.
More than 30 notices have been issued to food service establishments like KFC, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Domino’s and Costa Coffee, the FSSAI said.
It has suspended five licenses of Domino’s.