Remove Bournvita from ‘health drinks’ category, Govt directs e-commerce websites
Upstox
2 min read • Updated: April 13, 2024, 4:55 PM
Summary
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) found that there is no health drink defined under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act 2006, and therefore, companies cannot sell their products online by marketing them as health drinks, the commerce ministry said.
Cadbury's Bournvita, a popular drink manufactured by Mondelez India Food Pvt Ltd, has to be removed from the section of ‘health drinks’, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in an advisory issued to e-commerce companies.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) found that there is no health drink defined under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act 2006, and therefore, companies cannot sell their products online by marketing them as health drinks, the ministry said in a notification.
“NCPCR, a statutory body constituted under Section 3 of the Commission of Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005 after its inquiry under Section 14 of CRPC Act 2005 concluded that there is no ‘health drink’ defined under FSS Act 2006, rules and regulations submitted by FSSAI and Mondelez India Food Pvt Ltd,” the notification, dated April 10, stated.
“...all e-commerce companies/portals are hereby advised to remove drink/beverages, including Bournvita from the category of ‘health drinks’ from their sites/platforms,” it added.
How the row involving Bournvita erupted?
The controversy involving Bournvita erupted in April last year, when a social media influencer posted a video alleging high sugar content in the drink. In the now-deleted clip, the influencer alleged that Bournvita has high sugar, cocoa solids and colourants that may damage the health. The video was deleted after Mondelez India rejected the claims and issued a legal notice.
However, NCPCR had taken cognisance of the matter, and sought an explanation from the Bournvita makers. The child rights body had, last month, written to all states and union territories asking them to ensure that Bournvita and similar products were not sold as health drinks at stores and retail shops, the Times of India reported.
Earlier this month, e-commerce websites were also directed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to not to sell dairy, cereal or malt-based beverages under the category of health drink or energy drink.