Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Indian Regulator Calls Nestlé Dairy Whitener Sample Unsafe
India’s food regulator tested a sample of Nestlé’s low-fat dairy whitener.
The sample came from The LaLiT hotel in New Delhi.
The regulator said the sample was unsafe, substandard, and did not meet food rules.
It directed that sales of the product be stopped and sent a report and notice to the hotel’s operator.
The hotel said it stopped using the whitener and removed the packets after hearing from the regulator.
Nestlé India disagreed with the finding and said the product is safe.
The company said the test did not account for phosphorus that naturally occurs in milk-based ingredients.
The regulator said the operator could appeal the analyst’s report within the prescribed period.
FSSAI said a sample of Nestlé’s low-fat dairy whitener was unsafe, substandard, and non-compliant with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The sample was collected from The LaLiT hotel in Connaught Place, New Delhi, around three months before the hotel received the regulator’s communication.
FSSAI directed that sales of the product be prohibited and sent its laboratory report and a notice to Bharat Hotels Limited, the hotel’s operator.
The LaLiT said it stopped using the product and removed remaining packets after receiving the regulator’s communication.
Nestlé India said the product is safe and compliant, arguing the analysis did not distinguish naturally occurring phosphorus from added phosphorus.
- Who
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Nestlé India, and The LaLiT hotel, operated by Bharat Hotels Limited.
- What
- FSSAI found a sample of Nestlé low-fat dairy whitener unsafe, substandard, and non-compliant, and directed that its sale be prohibited.
- When
- FSSAI announced the finding on a Saturday; The LaLiT said the sample had been collected around three months earlier.
- Where
- The LaLiT hotel in Connaught Place, New Delhi, India.
- Why
- FSSAI said laboratory analysis found the sample did not comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Nestlé disputed the analysis, citing naturally occurring phosphorus in milk-based ingredients.
FSSAI’s finding
Nestlé India’s response
Safety and compliance
FSSAI’s finding
FSSAI said laboratory analysis found the sample unsafe, substandard, and non-compliant with the 2006 Act.
Nestlé India’s response
Nestlé India said the product is safe to consume and complies with applicable regulations.
Phosphorus analysis
FSSAI’s finding
FSSAI reported that the sample did not comply; the full laboratory report was not made public in the coverage.
Nestlé India’s response
Nestlé said the analysis compared total phosphorus with the limit for added phosphorus without accounting for phosphorus naturally present in milk-based ingredients.
- Product
- Nestlé low-fat dairy whitener
- Sample source
- The LaLiT hotel, Connaught Place, New Delhi
- Regulator
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
- Finding
- The sample was declared unsafe, substandard, and non-compliant with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- Regulatory action
- FSSAI directed that sales be prohibited, provided its laboratory report to Bharat Hotels Limited, and issued the company a notice.
- Hotel response
- The LaLiT said it discontinued use of the product and removed remaining packets after receiving the regulator’s communication.
- Nestlé response
- Nestlé India said the product is safe and compliant, and argued the analysis did not account for naturally occurring phosphorus.
- Appeal
- FSSAI said the food business operator could appeal the food analyst’s report within the prescribed period.
