Complan, Nan Excella Pro: FSSAI Notices to Nestle, Zydus Wellness

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) announced on 21 October that it has issued show-cause notices to Nestle India over claims on its Nan Excella Pro Stage 1 and Lactogen Pro 1 infant products, and to Zydus Wellness over the label and online listing of Complan. The regulator said in a social media post, as reported by PTI and Business Today, that the claims are misleading or breach the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018.

What FSSAI Objected To on the Labels

For Nan Excella Pro Stage 1, FSSAI said the line “5 HMOs helps support normal immune system” is non-compliant because it implies disease prevention or treatment, which the rules bar unless specifically permitted. It also asked Nestle to substantiate the statement that the product contains whey protein, “which is a part of milk protein that is easy to digest,” a claim it queried on Lactogen Pro 1 as well. For Complan, the regulator flagged an image of two children beside claims such as “2X Faster Growth”, “Supports Concentration and Memory” and “Pro Immunity+ 34 Vital Nutrients”, and asked for scientific justification for “Grow taller, faster. Clinically proven 2X growth”. It also found “Growth Comes in 4 Flavors” in breach.

Nestle Defended Its Infant Labels Last Week

This is the second round for Nestle in a week. IPB reported on 18 October that FSSAI had issued notices to Nestle India and Hindustan Unilever, and that Nestle said the labels on NAN Excella Pro and Lactogen Pro had been approved by an FSSAI expert committee. See FSSAI Flags Horlicks Claims, Proposes Sugar Ban in Infant Food and the earlier case of Britannia NutriChoice, where the Delhi High Court stayed an FSSAI order. Neither Nestle India nor Zydus Wellness had commented in the reports reviewed.

Replies Due Within the Stipulated Period

Both companies have been asked to submit evidence and to explain why action should not be taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The reports do not state the number of days allowed, and FSSAI has not said what penalty it could impose. More such reports are in Daily Updates.

Source: Based on reporting by Business Today, ETV Bharat (PTI) and Business Standard (PTI).

Image: FSSAI.