Story Highlights
The move comes one year after Bournvita was ordered by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights to remove all misleading advertisements, labels and packaging following an explosive video released by Revant Himatsingka.
Indian authorities have ordered that ecommerce sites remove Bournvita, and other drinks from the category of ‘health drinks’. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated in an advisory that the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS Act) 2006 and its regulations do not define the term “health drink”. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry clarified in an advisory that the term ‘health drink’ is not defined under the Food Safety Standards (FSS) Act 2006 or its rules. FoodPharmer was the influencer who highlighted the sugary content of the beverage, leading to widespread criticism and debate.
The notification from the Commerce Ministry stated that the “National Commission for Protection of Child Rights” (a statutory entity constituted under Section (3) of CPCR Act 2005) concluded, after an investigation under Section 14 of CPCR Act 2005, that “There is no Health Drink as defined by FSS Act 2006 Rules and Regulations, submitted by FSSAI, and Mondelez India Food Pvt Ltd,”
FSSAI guidelines on categorisation
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), on 2 April, asked all online retailers to categorise their products properly on their website.
The direction was issued after the company observed that certain beverages and cold drinks, including dairy-based drink mixes, cereal-based drink mixes and malt-based products, were being sold under the categories of “energy drink” or “health drink”.
The notification stated that “FSSAI advised all online retailers to correct this mistake by immediately removing these drinks and beverages from their website’s category of energy drinks/health drinks” or delinking them, as appropriate under existing law.
It added that “proprietary foods” are food items which are not standardised under the food standards and safety regulations (food additives and product standards) and in the food standards and safety regulations (health supplements and nutraceuticals) and within food standards and safety regulations (functional food and novel food), but are made with standardised ingredients.
The significance of the movement
This move is intended to increase transparency in the process of categorising energy drinks and to make consumers aware.
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An earlier investigation by NCPCR revealed that Bournvita’s sugar content was much higher than acceptable levels.
Bournvita: Statement
Mondelez claims that its company’s drinks contain less sugar than the daily limit recommended for children.
Every serving of Bournvita contains 7.5 grams added sugar. This is about one and half teaspoons. The company said that this is less than daily sugar intake recommendations for children.
With input from agencies