Photo: Twitter/@bornvitaindia
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has asked Bournvita maker Mondelez International India to review and withdraw all “misleading” advertisements, packaging and labels on its product.
In a letter to the chairman of Mondelez International India, the NCPCR said it has received a complaint stating that Bournvita, which promotes itself as a health powder or health drink, contains high percentage of sugar and ingredients or substances Contain that can be harmful. Harmful effects on the health of children.
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“In this regard the Commission has found that the product manufactured by your company is misleading the customers through its product packaging and advertisements. Further, the labeling and packaging of your product is also inconsistent with the ingredients used in the product – Bournvita.” fails to accept the correct information regarding the same,” the letter dated April 21 said.
It further said that the product also fails to display mandatory disclosures in line with the guidelines and regulations of FSSAI and Consumer Protection Act.
Citing sections of the notification issued by FSSAI on Food Safety Standards (Labelling and Display), the Commission noted that the product under consideration “prima facie” does not comply with the norms regarding display of method of preparation and number of serving portions Is. related to the claimed health benefits.
It also said that the product does not have any disclaimer or warning stating harmful effect on children on consumption of such mixture or formula which is prima facie in violation of the Consumer Protection Act 2019.
“Therefore, the Commission requests your offices to kindly review and withdraw all the misleading advertisements, packaging and labels and within seven days from the date of issue of this letter report, submit a report to the Commission in the said matter.” Send detailed explanation or report.” Said this.
The commission further informed the company that it has also written to the Chief Executive Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Chief Commissioner, Central Consumer Protection Authority, to take necessary action in this regard.
Earlier this month, a controversy erupted over questions raised by a social media influencer on the health benefits of Bournvita. He claimed that popular milk for children is high in sugar and its consumption can lead to diseases like diabetes and cancer. However, on April 13, he removed the video following a legal notice from the company. He has also apologized on his Instagram handle, while his Twitter handle has been suspended.
The ingredients of Bournvita may be mentioned on the back of the product, the company said in a statement, adding that Bournvita is highlighted on the pack along with a glass of 200 ml hot or cold milk. “Each serving of 20 grams of Bournvita has 7.5 grams of added sugar, which is almost one and a half teaspoons. This is much less than the daily recommended intake limit of sugar for children,” it had said.
The World Health Organization, in its Nutrient Profile Model for the South East Asia region, recommends a marketing ban on a range of milk and dairy-based beverages if the total sugar content of the product exceeds 7 g per 100 g.
As per FSSAI’s Advertisement and Claims Regulations, 2018, any product that contains 5 grams of sugar per 100 grams can be classified as ‘low sugar’.