The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Friday initiated legal action against Nestle India over alleged regulatory violations involving three infant nutrition products. Nestle India, however, said its products are fully compliant with applicable regulations.
The action relates to NAN Excella Pro Stage 1, Lactogen Pro 1 and a follow-up formula manufactured by the company.
FSSAI Flags Product Claims
According to FSSAI, it examined the products and promotional material available on e-commerce platforms. In NAN Excella Pro Stage 1, the regulator flagged claims related to “5HMOs” and “Whey Protein”. In Lactogen Pro 1, it raised concerns over a claim describing whey protein as easy to digest.
The regulator said it sought clarifications from Nestle India regarding the claims. FSSAI subsequently concluded that the promotional claims on the two products contravened Regulation 4(2) of the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020.
The regulator also cited Section 3 of the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods Act, 1992, which restricts the advertisement and promotion of such products.
Follow-Up Formula Fails Biotin Test
Separately, FSSAI said a sample of a Nestle India follow-up formula was found to be sub-standard for its Biotin content during laboratory testing.
The sample was sent for re-analysis at a referral laboratory, which also found it non-conforming with the Biotin requirement prescribed under the 2020 regulations.
Following the findings, FSSAI said it has filed three separate adjudication cases against Nestle India concerning the three products.
Nestle Says Products Are Compliant
Nestle India denied any regulatory non-compliance and said the products and their labels had been approved by an FSSAI expert committee.
The company said the disputed label statements are factual and supported by scientific literature. It added that it had submitted a detailed response to the authorities and would continue cooperating with FSSAI.
Nestle India shares ended 1.4% lower at Rs 1,353.10 on the BSE on Friday.
The latest dispute comes years after the 2015 Maggi controversy, when FSSAI ordered a nationwide recall of Nestle India’s instant noodles over alleged lead levels and labelling concerns. The ban was later lifted after authorised laboratory tests cleared the product.