Nestle, Unilever face regulatory action in India over misleading health claims

India's Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to Nestle India and Hindustan Unilever for allegedly misleading health and nutritional claims on their dietary supplements. Both companies were accused of violating regulatory requirements in their marketing practices. Nestle India's Resource Renal Vanilla Flavour Powder was marketed without proper approval and without labeling it as vegetarian or non-vegetarian.

Hindustan Unilever's Horlicks brand faced scrutiny over claims about happy birth weight on Horlicks Mother’s Plus Kesar, as well as benefits for improved bone health, healthy muscles, and the absence of added sugar in Horlicks Women’s Plus products. Hindustan Unilever denied the allegations, asserting that the products comply with regulatory standards and would provide scientific evidence to support their claims.

Nestle India has yet to respond to the regulator's requests for comment. These notices are part of a broader enforcement campaign against misleading food labels, questionable marketing practices, and violations of manufacturing and storage standards. Recent regulatory scrutiny of food producers, restaurants, hotels, and e-commerce platforms in India stems from concerns over product quality and consumer safety.

The action follows earlier regulatory proceedings against Nestle India in September for alleged breaches of infant nutrition marketing rules and manufacturing standards.