Industry Odisha Bureau, Oct 22: The food regulator has sought explanations and scientific evidence for infant formula and Complan claims. It has also issued separate notices over an Instagram reel featuring infant formula brands.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued notices over nutrition advertising claims. Nestlé India and Zydus Wellness have received separate notices, The Economic Times reported. The regulator, known as FSSAI, has sought explanations and scientific evidence for the claims. The notices do not amount to a finding of wrongdoing.
The notice concerns Lactogen Pro 1 Powder and Nan Excella Pro Stage 1. It flagged health claims that could mislead, along with promotional content that may breach rules. One objection concerns the statement “5 HMOs helps support normal immune system”.
HMOs, or human milk oligosaccharides, are compounds found naturally in breast milk. Some manufacturers add them to infant formula. FSSAI said the wording could suggest immune support for a specific physiological condition. It said the claim could breach rules barring prevention, relief or treatment claims without permission.
The objection relates to how the benefit is described, not to the ingredient itself. The report does not suggest the products are unsafe.
FSSAI also questioned a claim that the formula’s whey protein is easy to digest. The promotion describes whey as part of milk protein. The regulator has sought scientific substantiation for the digestibility claim. Such a request seeks evidence and does not mean the claim is false.
Nestlé India has been directed to explain why action should not follow. Any action would come under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and its regulations. No penalty or enforcement step has been reported.
In a separate notice, FSSAI questioned advertising claims for Zydus Wellness’s Complan. It sought scientific justification for the slogan “grow taller faster. Clinically proven 2X growth”. It also sought backing for the claim “supports concentration and memory”. A third claim under review reads “pro immunity + 34 vital nutrients”.
Claims tied to growth, memory or immunity are hard for parents to verify. That is why regulators expect companies to back them with evidence. The report did not specify what the “2X growth” figure measures.
A third matter concerns alleged promotion of infant milk substitutes on Instagram. FSSAI sent notices to influencer Ira Fathima and four companies. The companies are Abbott Healthcare, Nestlé India, Nutricia International and Mead Johnson Nutrition India.
The flagged reel presented a “Top 5” list of infant formula products. The list named Nan-Pro 1, Aptamil Premium 1 and Similac Advance 1. Enfamil A+ Stage 1 and Dexolac 1 completed the selection. India restricts the promotion of infant milk substitutes to protect breastfeeding.
The report did not say whether the companies sponsored or approved the reel. Receiving a notice does not establish involvement in unlawful promotion.
Together, the notices signal closer scrutiny of health claims in packaged nutrition. Brands making immunity, growth or digestion claims may need to show clear scientific backing. Infant formula marketing, including on social media, also remains under close watch.
