The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued an advisory to e-commerce entities, instructing them to exclude all beverages, including Bournvita, from the classification of ‘health drinks’ on their websites and platforms.
The Ministry, in a notification dated April 10, stated that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), a statutory body established under Section (3) of the Commission of Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005, after conducting an inquiry under Section 14 of the CRPC Act 2005, has determined that there is no specific definition of a ‘health drink’ under the FSS Act 2006, as per the rules and regulations submitted by FSSAI and Mondelez India Food Pvt Ltd.
Continue Exploring: Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath calls for front-of-pack labeling amid Bournvita controversy
The advisory comes in the wake of an investigation by the NCPCR, indicating that Bournvita exceeds the acceptable sugar levels.
Earlier, the NCPCR pressed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to take action against companies that violated safety standards and guidelines by marketing power supplements as ‘health drinks’.
Continue Exploring: NCPCR demands removal of misleading ads by Bournvita over allegations of high sugar content
According to the regulatory body, the term ‘health drink’ lacks a specific definition in the country’s food laws, and presenting a product as such violates regulations.
Earlier this month, the FSSAI also instructed e-commerce platforms to refrain from categorizing dairy-based or malt-based beverages as ‘health drinks’.
Continue Exploring: FSSAI directs e-commerce companies to stop labeling dairy and cereal-based beverages as ‘health’ or ‘energy’ drinks
The discussion surrounding the potential health concerns of Bournvita first surfaced when a YouTuber criticized the powdered supplement in a video, pointing out its high sugar content, cocoa solids, and harmful additives. The video implied that these ingredients might present notable health hazards to children, potentially including an increased risk of cancer.
Continue Exploring: Bournvita refutes social media influencer’s high sugar content claims, deems video ‘unscientific’