The Ministry of Commerce and Industry in India has issued a directive to all e-commerce platforms to remove drinks and beverages, including Bournvita, from their ‘health drinks’ categories. This action follows an inquiry by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which concluded that there is no definition of ‘health drink’ under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) 2006, rules, and regulations as submitted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Mondelez India Food Pvt Ltd.
The NCPCR’s investigation found that Bournvita contains sugar levels much above the acceptable limits, which raised concerns about the product’s health implications for children. The controversy over Bournvita’s classification as a health drink was further fueled by a YouTuber’s video that criticized the powder supplement for containing excessive sugar, cocoa solids, and harmful colorants that could lead to serious health hazards, including cancer.
In response to these findings, the FSSAI had earlier requested e-commerce websites not to categorize dairy, cereal, or malt-based beverages as ‘health drinks’ or ‘energy drinks’, clarifying that ‘health drink’ is not recognized in the applicable laws and that ‘energy drinks’ are classified as flavored water-based beverages1. Misrepresenting these products could potentially mislead consumers, prompting the websites to either remove or rectify such advertisements.
The NCPCR, headed by Priyank Kanoongo, urged various stakeholders, including the ministry, FSSAI, and departments of consumer affairs in states and Union Territories, to prohibit the sale of drink beverages, including Bournvita, under the ‘health drink’ category. The government’s directive to e-commerce platforms underscores its commitment to ensuring accurate product classification and safeguarding consumer health, particularly that of children.