NEW DELHI: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued notices to consumer goods majors Hindustan Unilever Limited and Nestlé India over alleged regulatory non-compliance involving health claims, product approvals, and labelling standards. The statutory food regulator has sought formal explanations from HUL concerning its Horlicks Mother’s Plus Kesar product and from Nestlé India regarding its Resource Renal vanilla-flavoured powder. While the scrutiny directed at Horlicks stems from promotional claims linked to infant birth weight, the action against Nestlé centers on the lack of mandatory prior regulatory clearance alongside the missing vegetarian or non-vegetarian logo on its packaging. Both firms have been given an opportunity to submit their defenses within a designated window, with the regulator warning that unsatisfactory submissions could trigger legal action under governing food safety statutes. The issuance of these regulatory notices outlines official concerns and does not constitute a final ruling of legal culpability.
HUL Asked to Clarify Horlicks Packaging and Online Marketing Claims
The inquiry directed at Hindustan Unilever focuses on the 400-gram pack of Horlicks Mother’s Plus Kesar. Following an assessment of a formal complaint, the physical packaging, promotional campaigns, and online marketplace listings, the authority raised red flags over specific promotional statements. The regulator took exception to packaging phrases including “Healthy Birth Weight” and marketing taglines reading “For baby’s healthy birth weight,” categorizing them as potentially misleading to the public. Officials observed that such representations could prompt buyers to believe that regular intake of the beverage would directly guarantee an optimal birth weight for a newborn child. Consequently, the regulator has questioned whether these representations adhere to the standards outlined under the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018.
Scrutiny has also been extended to the product’s digital presence across e-commerce channels. Officials flagged online descriptions emphasizing protein content for pregnancy and lactation, claims surrounding fetal birth weight, mentions of DHA for infant brain growth, and statements highlighting zero added sugar. The statutory body has instructed HUL to clarify how these marketing statements align with existing claim requirements. The company must submit its formal representations within the stipulated period, after which the regulatory authority will determine whether punitive proceedings are required.
Prior Clearance and Missing Dietary Markings at Core of Nestlé Notice
The notice served to Nestlé India addresses its Resource Renal vanilla-flavoured powder, a nutritional formula marketed for the dietary management of chronic kidney disease patients undergoing conservative medical care. Under the Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, and Prebiotic and Probiotic Food) Regulations, 2022, food products formulated for specific dietary and medical uses must receive prior formal approval from the central authority before being marketed. The regulatory notice states that Nestlé failed to secure this mandatory clearance, raising questions regarding the product’s statutory authorization.
In addition to the approval lapse, the authority flagged the alleged omission of the mandatory vegetarian or non-vegetarian declaration mark on the product’s container. The absence of this symbol raises compliance questions under the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. Nestlé India has been directed to address both the lack of prior approval and the packaging omissions, with authorities stating that failure to provide adequate justifications may prompt enforcement measures under applicable food safety provisions.
Regulator Deepens Oversight of Nutritional Representations and Packaging Compliance
The twin actions reflect a wider regulatory push to hold consumer brands accountable for promotional messaging, health benefits, and product transparency across India’s packaged food sector. Clear packaging and accurate assertions remain critical for consumers seeking informed dietary choices, particularly within specialized maternal and medical nutritional segments. The regulator maintains that health and wellness assertions must be framed without misleading prospective buyers regarding true product capabilities. The eventual outcome of both matters will depend on the responses provided by Hindustan Unilever and Nestlé India alongside subsequent evaluations by the authorities, as the current notices reflect regulatory scrutiny rather than proven violations.
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