Regulator cracks down on food products

Parents continued to be swayed by health drink commercials that promise to make their children taller and healthier but 19 such products including Horlicks, Bournvita and Complan are facing prosecution in different States with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) finding them “misleading and deceptive”.

‘Maggie Multi-grainz Noodles’, which comes with claims of nutritional benefits, and Saffola cooking oil that promises “healthy heart” too have not been spared.

The food regulatory authority has issued notices to the producers in case of 19 such food items allegedly for making false and misleading claims in their advertisements. Two cases have been filed against the advertisements of ‘Horlicks’ and ‘Boost’, produced by Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Healthcare Limited, before Additional Deputy Commissioner, Gurgaon for violation of the Food Safety and Standard Act.

While the advertisement for Boost claims that it provides three times more stamina than an ordinary chocolate drink, its producer has not come up with any specific study on the product that could substantiate its claims, the government informed the Lok Sabha on Monday.

The claims by Heinz India Private Limited about its products—‘Complan’ and ‘Complan Memory’—in their advertisements have also been found misleading and in contravention with Food Safety and Standard Act. Separate cases have been filed against the two products by the authorities in Mumbai.

A claim made by Abott India Limited about its product Pediasure that its consumption helps in child’s growth has also came in question.

Its producer is facing a case under Food Safety and Standard Act in Mumbai since July 6 this year. Prosecution has been initiated against the advertisement of Kellogs Special K, manufactured by Kelloggs India, in Mumbai allegedly for making a “deceptive” claim that those consuming the product would become slimmer than those who do not. Authorities have brought the company’s another product—‘Kelloggs Extra Museli’—into the dock in Mumbai allegedly for using a “misleading” label on its pack that tend to show the product containing a number of fruits.

The claims by ‘Today Premium Tea’ has also drawn flak from the authorities, who have filed a case against the company in Delhi allegedly for misleading the consumers.