India’s FSSAI Challenges Claims by Nestlé, Abbott and Zydus
India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) has begun regulatory proceedings involving Nestlé India, Abbott Healthcare, Nutricia International, Mead Johnson Nutrition India and Zydus Wellness. The notices concern promotional statements about digestion, immunity, cognitive development and physical growth made for infant formula and fortified dairy-based beverages.
The authority has asked companies to substantiate the claims with scientific and clinical documentation within the deadlines set out in the notices. The proceedings relate to commercial products marketed as infant milk substitutes as well as children’s nutritional drinks. The notices are requests for explanations and evidence, rather than final findings of legal liability.
Nestlé India has been asked to provide peer-reviewed material supporting the description of the whey-protein system in its Lactogen Pro 1 powder as “easy to digest”. FSSAI also questioned wording on Nan Excella Pro Stage 1 packaging stating that “5 HMOs helps support normal immune system”. The regulator said that such wording could imply disease prevention or treatment without the required statutory approval.
FSSAI separately examined an Instagram promotion involving influencer Ira Fathima and several manufacturers. The campaign presented a “Top 5” ranking of infant-formula products, including Nan-Pro 1, Aptamil Premium 1, Similac Advance 1, Enfamil A+ Stage 1 and Dexolac 1. The authority said the promotion attributed immune and developmental benefits to commercial formulas, raising issues under India’s 1992 Infant Milk Substitutes Act and the 2020 regulations governing foods for infant nutrition.
The regulator also sent a detailed notice to Zydus Wellness over advertising for Complan. It questioned statements including “2X Faster Growth”, “Supports Concentration and Memory” and “Pro Immunity + 34 Vital Nutrients”. Other wording under review included “Grow Taller, Faster: Clinically Proven 2X Growth” and “Growth Comes in 4 Flavours”. FSSAI said these claims could conflict with the 2018 Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations.
The notices affect product categories that use spray-dried skimmed-milk powder, whey derivatives and dairy fats. The source described specialist paediatric nutrition and fortified dairy powders as higher-margin products than standard liquid-milk pouches, with operating margins often reported at 35% to 45%. It also said that a prolonged dispute or compulsory relabelling could result in packaging write-downs, higher legal costs and delays to planned product launches, although no such measures were identified as final orders in the notices.
Companies supplying these products rely on controlled milk-sourcing and cold-chain systems because of the quality requirements for infant nutrition. Farmers supplying dedicated corporate collection routes, including routes in northern dairy regions, are linked to demand for premium formulas and fortified powders. The regulatory process will require the companies to respond with evidence for their claims and to address the marketing practices identified by FSSAI.
