Updated at 7:47 PM on April 13, 2024. | New Delhi
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which clarified that the term “health drinks” does not have any standards, has now released a statement.
The Center has instructed e-commerce platforms to make sure that Bournvita and other beverages are not classified as health drinks. The Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry sent this advisory.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which clarified that the term “health drinks” does not have any standards, has also released a statement.
The DPIIT stated in its April 10 advisory that it had come to notice “that some drinks and beverages, including Bournvita, are classified as ‘Health Beverages’ on online platforms and e-commerce websites”. In its advisory issued on April 10, the DPIIT said it had come to notice that “some of the drinks and beverages including Bournvita are categorised as ‘Health Drinks’ on e-commerce sites and platforms”.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated in its April 10 notification that the “National Commission for Protection of Child Rights”, a statutory entity constituted under Section (3) of CPCR Act 2005 and after an investigation under Section 14 of CPCR Act 2005, found no such thing as a “Health Drink” under FSS Act 2006. Rules and Regulations, submitted by FSSAI, and Mondelez India Food Pvt Ltd.
Tag misleading
DPIIT’s advisory stated that “All online retailers/portals are advised to remove all drinks/beverages, including Bournvita, from the “Health Drinks category” on their websites/platforms.”
FSSAI has recently expressed concern over the sale of malt-based, cereal-based, and dairy-based beverages on online shopping sites, all marketed as health drinks. The FSS Act or its rules/regulations do not define/standardise health drinks.
The FSSAI had directed that e-commerce sites “remove” or “delink” these beverages from their websites’ health drink category. FSSAI stated that the move would “enhance transparency and clarity regarding the functional and nature properties of products and allow consumers to make an informed choice without being misled.”