World · India Bureau
FSSAI challenges Nestle India's health claims on infant formulas
India's food safety regulator has issued notices to Nestle India demanding scientific substantiation for nutritional and immunity claims made on Lactogen and Nan Excella infant nutrition products. The action also flags additional food safety compliance concerns.
LSN India ·
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed Nestle India to provide scientific evidence supporting specific health claims on two of its flagship infant formula brands, according to regulatory notices issued this week. The regulator is seeking documented proof for assertions regarding whey protein content and immune-support benefits featured on Lactogen and Nan Excella packaging and marketing materials. The move reflects heightened scrutiny by Indian authorities on nutritional claims made by major food manufacturers in the highly competitive infant nutrition segment. Nestle India, a subsidiary of the Swiss multinational, commands a significant share of India's infant formula market through these two product lines. The company has been given a specified timeframe to respond to the FSSAI's queries with comprehensive scientific documentation. Beyond the specific health claims, the regulator's notices also reference broader food safety violations, though details of these additional concerns were not immediately specified. Industry observers note this action underscores FSSAI's commitment to ensuring that marketing claims on infant nutrition products—a category subject to strict regulatory oversight—are backed by rigorous scientific validation. The notices come amid ongoing global scrutiny of infant formula marketing practices and their alignment with health recommendations.