FSSAI Initiates Three Adjudication Cases Against Nestle India Over Infant Nutrition Products

Key facts

• FSSAI has filed three separate adjudication cases against Nestle India Limited concerning NAN Excella Pro Stage 1, Lactogen Pro 1 and a follow-up formula manufactured by the company.
• Two cases relate to promotional claims on NAN Excella Pro Stage 1 (claims of '5 HMOs' and 'Whey Protein') and Lactogen Pro 1 (whey protein described as easy to digest), both cited as contraventions of Regulation 4(2) of the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020.
• The third case concerns a follow-up formula sample found sub-standard in biotin content in laboratory analysis, with the Referral Laboratory also finding it did not conform to the prescribed biotin requirement under the 2020 regulations.
• The FSSAI notice also cites the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992, which restricts advertisement and promotion of infant milk substitutes and certain infant foods.
• Nestle India stated its products are fully compliant, that the labels of NAN Excella Pro and Lactogen Pro were approved by FSSAI's expert committee, and that it has submitted a detailed response to the authorities.
• The initiation of proceedings does not mean the products are banned or unsafe; the outcome depends on the adjudication proceedings.