Big Blow to Bournvita: Centre’s orders to remove From ‘Health Drinks’ Category

The e-commerce businesses have received advice from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to remove all drinks, including Bournvita, from the category of “health drinks” on their platforms and portal.

“National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (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 ruled that there is no ‘health drink’ defined under FSS Act 2006, rules and regulations provided by FSSAI and Mondelez India Food Pvt Ltd,” the ministry stated in a notification dated April 10.

The NCPCR’s investigation revealed that the Bournvita has sugar levels far beyond allowable limits, which led to the alert.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was contacted earlier by the NCPCR to take action against companies that were marketing power supplements as “health drinks” despite not adhering to safety regulations and guidelines.

Notably, the regulatory body states that it is against the law to present anything as a “health drink” since the term is not defined in the nation’s food rules and regulations.

Earlier this month, the FSSAI also gave online retailers advice not to advertise dairy or malt-based drinks as “health drinks.”

The ‘unhealthy’ nature of Bournvita was first brought to light by a YouTuber who attacked the powder supplement in his video, claiming that it contains dangerous colouring substances, too much sugar, and cocoa solids, all of which might cause cancer in young people.