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Controversy Arises Over Sugar Content and Health Implications
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued a directive to e-commerce companies, instructing them to cease categorizing drinks and beverages, including Bournvita, as ‘health drinks’ on their platforms.
In a notification dated April 10, the ministry referenced findings from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which conducted an inquiry under Section 14 of the Commission of Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005. The inquiry concluded that there is no specific definition of a ‘health drink’ under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, or the regulations provided by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Mondelez India Food Pvt Ltd.
The advisory follows an investigation by the NCPCR, which revealed that Bournvita contains sugar levels exceeding acceptable limits.
Previously, the NCPCR had urged the FSSAI to take action against companies failing to adhere to safety standards and guidelines, particularly those promoting power supplements as ‘health drinks’.
According to regulatory authorities, the absence of a clear definition for ‘health drink’ in the country’s food laws renders the classification inappropriate. Earlier this month, the FSSAI instructed e-commerce portals to refrain from labeling dairy-based or malt-based beverages as ‘health drinks’.
The controversy surrounding the nutritional value of Bournvita escalated after a YouTuber criticized the product in a video, highlighting excessive sugar, cocoa solids, and harmful colorants. The video warned of potential health risks for children, including cancer, associated with consuming Bournvita.
The ministry’s directive underscores growing concerns over the misrepresentation of products and the need for stringent regulation to ensure consumer safety and transparency in the marketing of food and beverage items.
