FSSAI Cracks Down on Misleading Infant Nutrition Claims
FSSAI cracks down on food manufacturers and influencers for misleading health claims on infant nutrition products and milk substitutes.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a regulatory offensive against major food manufacturers and digital promoters over alleged misleading health claims regarding infant nutrition products. The food safety regulator has issued fresh notices to several entities for non-compliant promotions and deceptive claims related to digestion and immunity.
Questioning 'Immunity' and 'Digestion' Claims
The regulator's scrutiny focuses on claims printed on product packaging and used in advertising materials. In one specific instance, the FSSAI questioned a manufacturer's assertion that certain ingredients in an infant nutrition product helped support a "normal immune system."
The FSSAI observed that such language could mislead consumers into believing the product is suitable for treating or preventing a specific physiological condition. According to the regulator, this is a direct violation of provisions that prohibit claims regarding the prevention, alleviation, treatment, or cure of any disease or disorder unless specifically permitted by regulations.
Furthermore, the FSSAI has demanded scientific evidence from another operator who claimed that the whey protein in their infant nutrition product was "easy to digest." The manufacturer has been directed to submit supporting documents and scientific substantiation to prove this claim within a set timeframe.
Influencers Under the Scanner
The crackdown extends beyond the factories and into the digital realm. The FSSAI has issued notices regarding the promotion of infant milk substitutes on Instagram. The regulator flagged a social media reel that listed recommended infant formula products, attributing benefits such as:
- Balanced nutrition
- Stronger immunity
- Brain development
- Easy digestion
The FSSAI stated that such promotional content allegedly violates the Infant Milk Substitutes Act, 1992 (as amended in 2003), as well as the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, which strictly govern the advertising, marketing, and promotion of these products.
Regulatory Consequences
The notices have been served to both food manufacturers and an individual social media influencer, signaling that the regulator is monitoring both corporate advertising and third-party digital endorsements.
The concerned parties have been directed to provide an explanation as to why legal action should not be initiated against them under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and its accompanying rules. This move underscores the FSSAI's commitment to ensuring that products intended for infants adhere to the strictest advertising and labelling standards to protect vulnerable consumers.