FSSAI ASKS MONSTER ENERGY INDIA TO WITHDRAW TWO ENERGY DRINKS

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has asked Mumbai-based Monster Energy India Pvt Ltd to withdraw its two energy drinks 'Monster Energy Absolute Zero' and 'Monster Energy' from the market alleging that contents in them have been found to be in violation of the food law.

Though the FSSAI had in 2014 itself had decided to withdraw No objection Certificate (NoC) issued a year ago to the two products, it was stopped from doing so after the company managed to take interim stay from the Bombay High Court.

However, the top food regulator moved the Supreme Court which on May 1, 2015 stayed the Bombay High Court order. Armed with the Apex Court order, the FSSAI on May 8 withdrew the NoC and asked the company to immediately stop manufacturing/sale/distribution/import of the duo products.

Though the NOC to the products were issued in 15 October 2013 which was to be expired on 14 October 2014, a FSSAI panel found that 'Monster Energy' had Ginseng which was projected as a flavouring agent but was not in the FSSR approved list.

"Also the title of the product Monster Energy was found to be misleading. The panel also found that the product has irrational combination of ginseng and caffeine which had opposing effect on the human body. Hence the panel recommended the rejection of the product as a dietary supplement," said the FSSAI in a letter to the company written on May 8.

Also, a FSSAI's scientific panel for functional foods, nutraceuticals, dietetic products and other similar products in its meeting on March 2014 for the risk assessment for safety of ingriedents and limits found 'Monster Energy Absolutely Zero' too was not fit for consumption.

"The panel observed that the product is a caffeinated drink and contains caffeine with Ginseng extract and vitamins, 475 ml cans are supplied and not more than one can/day usage level is recommended by the applicant. At this level of usage, all the vitamins (vitamins B2, B3, B6 and B12) are above the recommended daily allowance.

"It is also in violation of Section 22 of the FSS Act 2006. The product also contains Taurine, L-Carnitine in addition to ginseng and caffeine. As per the Act, such products have to be specifically approved by the FSSAI and the company has not provided adequate supporting data for the same," said the letter.