FSSAI issues notices to Nestlé India and HUL over product claims

India's food safety watchdog has taken decisive steps to safeguard consumer interests by pulling up major fast-moving consumer goods brands over regulatory non-compliance. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued official show-cause notices to Nestlé India and Hindustan Unilever (HUL) after reviewing product labels, digital storefronts and promotional material.

The regulatory intervention highlights the central authority's sustained push towards transparency, strict adherence to labelling rules and accountability in the consumer health and nutritional sectors.

What FSSAI found

In its notice to Hindustan Unilever, the regulator flagged marketing claims tied to its Horlicks range. FSSAI cited potential violations regarding the claims "Healthy Birth Weight" and "For baby's healthy birth weight" on the packaging and advertisements for Horlicks Mother's Plus Kesar. The authority observed that suggesting a packaged food product itself imparts specific health outcomes contravenes the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018.

The regulator also raised questions over specific claims on Horlicks Women's Plus Chocolate Nutrition Drink, including statements such as "Clinically Proven to Help Improve Bone Strength in 6 Months" and "Nutrition for Strong Bones".

For Nestlé India, scrutiny focused on its Resource Renal vanilla-flavoured powder, a nutritional product marketed for individuals with chronic kidney disease. FSSAI stated that under the 2022 Health Supplements and Special Dietary Use Regulations, specialized medical foods require prior authorization from the Food Authority, which Nestlé India had not secured. Additionally, the regulator noted that the product packaging lacked the mandatory vegetarian or non-vegetarian logo, violating the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020.

Summary of regulatory notices

What happens next

Both companies have been directed to respond within specified timelines to explain the non-compliances and justify their product assertions. FSSAI noted that failure to provide satisfactory explanations could lead to further enforcement action under India's food safety laws.

This firm regulatory oversight underscores the government's commitment to ensuring high standard compliance, fair trade practices and protecting public health across Indian consumer markets.