The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has reportedly instructed e-commerce companies to remove beverages like Cadbury Bournvita, marketed as “health drinks,” from their platforms.
This directive follows an inquiry by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), revealing that Bournvita exceeds permissible sugar levels.
The NCPCR, a statutory body, concluded that there’s no official definition of “health drink” under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act 2006. They found Bournvita’s sugar levels to be above the allowed limits.
Earlier, the NCPCR had urged the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to take action against companies not meeting safety standards but marketing products as “health drinks.”
This move comes after Nutritionist Revant Himatsingka challenged Cadbury Bournvita’s claims of being a healthy drink for kids.
Himatsingka’s Instagram video criticized the brand for high sugar and colorant content, resulting in a legal dispute.
Eventually, Bournvita reduced its sugar content by 15% following the viral video, causing significant negative publicity.
