The government has issued directives to e-commerce platforms, instructing them to remove products like Bournvita and similar beverages from the 'health drink' category.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued an advisory to e-commerce companies, directing them to remove beverages such as Bournvita from the 'health drinks' category on their platforms. This action comes in response to an inquiry conducted by the NCPCR, which revealed that Bournvita contains sugar levels that exceed acceptable limits. Previously, the NCPCR had urged the FSSAI to take action against companies that misrepresent powdered supplements as 'health drinks', citing violations of food laws.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued an advisory to e-commerce companies, directing them to remove all drinks and beverages, including Bournvita, from the category of 'health drinks' on their portals and platforms.

According to a notification from the Ministry dated April 10, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) concluded, after an inquiry under Section 14 of the Commission of Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005, that there is no definition of 'health drink' under the FSS Act 2006, rules, and regulations submitted by FSSAI and Mondelez India Food Pvt Ltd.

The advisory was prompted by an inquiry conducted by the NCPCR, which found that Bournvita contains sugar levels that exceed the acceptable limits.

Previously, the NCPCR had urged the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to take action against companies that did not meet safety standards and were marketing powdered supplements as 'health drinks'.

According to the regulatory body, there is no specific definition for 'health drink' in the country's food laws, and categorizing products as such violates regulations.

Earlier this month, the FSSAI instructed e-commerce platforms to refrain from labeling dairy-based or malt-based beverages as 'health drinks'.

‍Bournvita's 'misleading' advertisements

Last year, the Apex child rights body NCPCR directed Mondelez India-owned brand Bournvita to withdraw all "misleading" advertisements, packaging, and labels following a video alleging high sugar content in the health drink.

The controversy surrounding the potential health risks associated with Bournvita emerged when a YouTuber critiqued the powdered supplement in a video, pointing out its elevated sugar content, cocoa solids, and concerning additives.

The video implied that these components might carry substantial health hazards for children, including the risk of cancer. Bournvita, however, refuted all these allegations, labeling the influencer's video as unscientific.

The influencer, Revant Himatsingka, subsequently removed the video from all platforms following a legal notice from Mondelez India.

The NCPCR also pointed out that the labeling and packaging of Bournvita failed to accurately disclose the ingredients used in the health drink.

Source: ecomonictimes‍