FSSAI issues notices to Dr Reddy's, Nestle, Amazon and Flipkart over misleading protein claims

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued show-cause notices to Dr Reddy’s, Nestle Health Science, Amazon, and Flipkart over allegedly misleading health claims made for a protein supplement.

The action focuses on Celevida GLP, a high-protein powder launched jointly by Dr Reddy’s and Nestle Health Science in May. The product was designed to support nutrition and muscle mass for patients undergoing GLP-1 and GIP therapies—the active compounds in blockbuster weight-loss and diabetes drugs.

In a social media announcement, the food safety regulator said it had also targeted Tirupati Wellness and online platforms Netmeds, Amazon, and Flipkart, demanding they explain why regulatory action should not be taken against them.

What the regulator flagged

According to the FSSAI, the marketing and packaging of Celevida GLP suggests benefits that could mislead ordinary consumers.

The regulator singled out packaging claims that described the product as "high protein support for lean muscle preservation during GLP-1/GIP therapies". It said this phrasing, combined with the brand name itself, falsely linked the supplement to medical weight-loss treatments.

Other claims on the label—such as "helps maintain lean muscle", "support muscle strength", "immunity support", and "energy metabolism"—were flagged for implying that the supplement could prevent muscle loss during intense weight-loss programs. The FSSAI also raised concerns about a label stating the product was "imported from Europe for purity".

The regulator believes these representations go beyond permitted food supplement advertising and cross into making unverified health claims for specific physiological conditions.

The response from online retailers

Because the product was sold online, the FSSAI extended its enforcement to India's major e-commerce platforms.

In response, Amazon said it has taken down the listings. "Amazon.in operates as an online marketplace where independent third-party sellers list and sell their products," a spokesperson for the company said in a statement. "We require sellers to list products which comply with applicable Indian laws and Amazon policies. We remove noncompliant product listings upon directions from relevant regulatory authorities."

The company confirmed the product is no longer available on its platform. Dr Reddy's, Nestle Health Science, and Flipkart have not yet responded publicly to the notices.

Crackdown on expired food and pesticides

The notices over Celevida GLP are part of a broader push by the food safety regulator to clean up India’s food supply chain and e-commerce listings.

Alongside the protein powder notices, the FSSAI suspended the licence of Flipkart seller Shreyash Retail Pvt Ltd after finding it was selling expired and rotten food.

The regulator also announced it has approved the prosecution of Nex International over shipments of loose raisins found to be contaminated with pesticides.