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Nestlé India Faces Legal Action Over Baby Food Claims
India’s food regulator tested a Nestlé India baby food product.
It said the product did not meet the required level for biotin.
The regulator also questioned claims made on two other baby foods.
These claims mentioned five HMOs and whey protein.
Indian rules restrict advertising and sales-promoting claims for infant foods.
Nestlé India said its products follow all applicable rules.
The company also said its label statements are factual and supported by science.
Nestlé India’s stock price fell after the announcement but recovered somewhat by the market’s close.
India’s food regulator initiated legal action against Nestlé India after a follow-up formula sample was found substandard for biotin.
The regulator flagged alleged misleading claims on NAN Excella Pro Stage 1 and Lactogen Pro 1.
Claims cited included “5 HMOs,” whey protein, and whey protein being “easy to digest.”
Nestlé India said its products comply with applicable regulations and that the labels are supported by scientific literature.
Nestlé India’s share price initially fell 2.4% before closing down 0.5% after the regulator’s announcement.
- Who
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and Nestlé India.
- What
- The regulator initiated legal action over an allegedly substandard infant formula sample and allegedly misleading claims on two products.
- Where
- India.
- When
- The action was announced on Friday; the cited regulations date from 1992 and 2020.
- Why
- The regulator said a follow-up formula sample was substandard for biotin and that claims on two products violated infant-nutrition rules and advertising restrictions.
Regulator’s allegations
Nestlé India’s response
Product quality
Regulator’s allegations
The regulator said a follow-up formula sample was substandard with respect to biotin and initiated legal action.
Nestlé India’s response
Nestlé India said its products are fully compliant with applicable regulations.
Product claims
Regulator’s allegations
The regulator said claims involving “5 HMOs,” whey protein, and easy digestion were allegedly misleading and violated infant-food rules.
Nestlé India’s response
Nestlé India said the statements on its labels are factual, supported by scientific literature, and compliant with applicable laws.
Regulatory approval
Regulator’s allegations
The regulator flagged claims on NAN Excella Pro Stage 1 and Lactogen Pro 1 under rules restricting promotional claims and advertisements.
Nestlé India’s response
Nestlé India said NAN Excella Pro and Lactogen Pro had been approved by the regulator’s expert committee.
Key facts
- Regulator
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
- Product tested
- A follow-up formula was found substandard with respect to biotin, according to the regulator.
- Products flagged
- NAN Excella Pro Stage 1 and Lactogen Pro 1
- Claims questioned
- “5 HMOs,” whey protein, and whey protein being “easy to digest”
- Relevant laws
- The 2020 Foods for Infant Nutrition Regulations and the 1992 Infant Milk Substitutes Act
- Company response
- Nestlé India said its products are fully compliant and that its label statements are supported by scientific literature.
- Share-price reaction
- The stock fell 2.4% before closing down 0.5%.
Quotes
Nestlé India spokesperson
Spokesperson for Nestlé India responding to the regulator’s allegations
“We have again submitted our detailed response to the authorities regarding statements appearing on the label, which are factual in nature, and supported by scientific literature,” ANI quoted the company as stating. “We confirm to adherence of all regulations including all norms and label declarations as per applicable laws.”
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Sources
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