The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated three separate adjudication cases against Nestlé India over alleged regulatory violations involving infant nutrition products.
The action concerns NAN Excella Pro Stage 1, Lactogen Pro 1 and a follow-up formula manufactured by the company. The regulator said it examined the products and promotional material available on e-commerce platforms before initiating the proceedings.
Promotional claims under scrutiny
For NAN Excella Pro Stage 1, FSSAI flagged claims relating to five human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and whey protein. In the case of Lactogen Pro 1, the regulator raised concerns over a claim describing its whey protein as being easy to digest.
FSSAI said the claims were found to contravene Regulation 4(2) of the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, which restricts promotional material intended to increase the saleability of infant foods. The regulator also cited provisions of the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods Act, 1992.
Follow-up formula fails biotin test
A separate case relates to a sample of Nestlé’s follow-up formula. FSSAI said laboratory testing found the sample to be non-conforming with prescribed biotin requirements.
The sample was subsequently sent to a referral laboratory for re-analysis, which also found it did not meet the prescribed standard. Biotin, or vitamin B7, is an essential water-soluble vitamin involved in several metabolic functions.
Nestlé India has maintained that its products comply with applicable regulations. The company said NAN Excella Pro and Lactogen Pro labels had been approved by an FSSAI expert committee and that the claims were supported by scientific literature.
The cases will now proceed through the regulatory adjudication process.