The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued an advisory to e-commerce companies, directing them to remove all beverages, including Bournvita, from the 'health drinks' category on their platforms.
This decision comes after the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights concluded that there is no official definition of "health drink" under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Furthermore, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently instructed e-commerce platforms not to classify dairy, cereal, or malt-based beverages as 'health drinks' or 'energy drinks'.
FSSAI emphasized that these terms lack clear definitions in Indian food laws, and 'energy drinks' are essentially flavoured water-based beverages as per regulations.
This move aims to prevent consumer confusion and misinterpretation regarding the nutritional content and health claims of these beverages. The authority urged websites to either correct or remove such misleading advertisements.
Last year, social media influencer Revant Himatsingka, also known as Foodpharmer, raised concerns about Bournvita's nutritional content in a video, alleging miscommunication.
Mondelez International India, the manufacturer of Bournvita, issued a statement clarifying the product's ingredients and sent a legal notice to Himatsingka, leading him to remove the video and apologize to the brand.
Following this, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights directed Mondelez International India to assess and remove any 'misleading' advertisements, packaging, and labelling related to Bournvita.
