Bournvita को 'स्वास्थ्य पेय' अनुभाग से हटाएं: सरकार ने ई-कॉमर्स वेबसाइटों से कहा।

Remove Bournvita from 'health drinks' section: Govt to e-commerce websites.

Ministry directs e-commerce to remove Bournvita from 'healthy drinks'. FSSAI clarifies drink categorization.

National News
331
13, Apr, 2024

Jyoti Ahlawat

@JyotiAhlawat

Remove Bournvita from the 'health drinks' section: Govt to e-commerce websites.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has instructed e-commerce platforms, as reported by Moneycontrol, to remove all beverages, including Bournvita, from the classification of 'healthy drinks.' This directive follows a declaration by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which pointed out the absence of a defined "health drink" under the FSS Act 2006, rules, and regulations submitted by FSSAl & Mondelez India. The Ministry's notification, issued on April 10, cited NCPCR's findings after an inquiry under Section 14 of the CPCR Act, 2005, emphasizing the lack of a defined health drink under the FSS Act 2006. It directed all e-commerce companies/portals to remove such beverages from the 'health drinks' category.

Earlier this month, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) mandated e-commerce platforms to accurately categorize food products on their websites. They were specifically instructed not to label dairy, cereal, or malt-based beverages as 'health drinks' or 'energy drinks,' according to Moneycontrol. The FSSAI clarified that 'health drink' is not defined within Indian food laws, and 'energy drinks' merely refer to flavoured water-based beverages under these laws. The FSSAI cautioned against misleading consumers through improper terminology in advertisements, advising websites to rectify or remove such content.

As per India Today's report, the FSSAI stated that proprietary foods, not governed by standard food safety regulations, utilize standardized ingredients. This corrective measure aims to enhance clarity and transparency regarding product characteristics and functionalities, enabling consumers to make informed choices devoid of misleading information.

Last month, NCPCR chief Priyank Kanoongo wrote to the commerce ministry, FSSAI, and Department of Consumer Affairs of various state governments and Union Territories, urging against the sale of beverages like Bournvita under the 'health drink' category.

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