The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) and Nestlé India over alleged misleading claims, inconsistent product labelling and regulatory compliance concerns involving several food products.
The notices cover HUL’s Horlicks Women’s Plus Chocolate Nutrition Drink and Horlicks Mother’s Plus Kesar, as well as Nestlé’s Nescafé ready-to-drink coffee beverages and Resource Renal Vanilla Flavour Powder.According to the regulator, certain product claims, descriptions and labelling details may not comply with food safety regulations. The companies have been asked to explain their positions.
Why Has FSSAI Issued Notices to HUL?
The regulator has raised concerns over claims made for two Horlicks products: Horlicks Women’s Plus Chocolate Nutrition Drink and Horlicks Mother’s Plus Kesar.The flagged claims relate to bone strength, healthy birth weight and the use of the term “No Added Sugar”. The FSSAI reportedly questioned whether these claims comply with the rules governing food labelling and advertising.Nutrition and health claims can influence consumers’ purchasing decisions, particularly when products are marketed to women and mothers. Such claims must meet the applicable regulatory requirements and should not give consumers a misleading impression of a product’s benefits.HUL has been asked to submit its explanation within the prescribed period. The issuance of a notice does not, by itself, establish a violation. Further action will depend on the regulator’s assessment of the company’s response.
FSSAI Questions Labelling on Nescafé Coffee Drinks
The FSSAI has also raised concerns over the labelling and online descriptions of three Nescafé ready-to-drink beverages: Nescafé Intense Cafe Cappuccino Flavour, Nescafé Choco Mocha and Nescafé Chilled Latte.The products were reportedly sold through e-commerce platforms. The notices also involve Nestlé India and two dairy manufacturers, Schreiber Dynamix Dairies and Lotus Dairy Products.According to the regulator, the front of the packaging described the beverages as “Flavoured Milk”, while the back identified them as “Proprietary Food – Dairy Based Drink”. Their online listings reportedly used the description “Coffee Flavoured Milk”.
The FSSAI questioned these differences, raising concerns about whether the product descriptions were consistent with the declared food category and the information provided to consumers.The regulator also flagged online claims such as “crafted with the goodness of flavoured double toned milk”, reportedly questioning whether the descriptions accurately reflected the products’ declared composition and category.
Nestlé’s Resource Renal Powder Faces Approval Concerns
In a separate matter, the FSSAI issued a notice to Nestlé India concerning Resource Renal Vanilla Flavour Powder, a product intended for the dietary management of people with conservatively treated chronic kidney disease.Products designed for people with specific medical conditions are subject to additional regulatory requirements.
The FSSAI reportedly stated that Resource Renal Vanilla Flavour Powder was being marketed without the required prior approval from the food authorities.Such products are covered by regulations governing health supplements, nutraceuticals, foods for special dietary use, foods for special medical purposes, and prebiotic and probiotic foods. The applicable framework includes the Food Safety and Standards regulations on these categories.
According to the regulator, the absence of the required approval raises concerns about compliance with the applicable rules. Nestlé India has been asked to respond to the notice.
The notices highlight the importance of accurate food labelling, appropriate health claims and compliance with regulatory requirements. The companies’ responses will help determine what further action, if any, the FSSAI may take.