Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 18: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated three adjudication cases against Nestle India over alleged violations of food safety regulations involving three infant nutrition products. Following the development, the company’s shares fell 2.3 per cent on Friday.

The cases concern Infant Nutrition products, including NAN Excella and Lactogen. FSSAI said it had examined the products and promotional material available on e-commerce platforms.

According to the food safety regulator, promotional claims relating to “5 HMOs” and “Whey Protein” were observed in NAN Excella Pro Stage 1, while Lactogen Pro 1 carried a claim that whey protein was easy to digest.

FSSAI sought clarifications from Nestle India regarding the claims. It said both products were found to be in contravention of Regulation 4(2) of the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, which restricts promotional claims and material intended to increase the saleability of infant foods.

The regulator also cited Section 3 of the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992, which prohibits the advertisement and promotion of such products.

Separately, a sample of a follow-up formula manufactured by Nestle India was found to be below the prescribed Biotin level during laboratory analysis. The sample was sent for re-analysis, and the referral laboratory also found it non-compliant with the Biotin requirement under the 2020 regulations.

FSSAI said the three adjudication cases had been filed in connection with the findings and were part of its food-safety enforcement efforts.

At 1.30 pm on September 18, Nestle India shares were trading 2.3 per cent lower at Rs 1,336 apiece.