The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the nation’s food safety authority, has sent notices to beverage companies regarding their use of the term “energy drink” and their allegedly deceptive product label claims, stating that no standard has been established for these items under the food safety laws.
The food regulator stated in an Instagram post that it had issued alerts to companies such as Hell Energy (Hell Energy Private Limited), Red Bull Energy Drink, Adrenaline Rush and Sting from PepsiCo India Holdings Private Limited, Campa Energy Drink, and Monster Energy for purportedly misbranding and labeling violations.
No standard for energy drinks or similar items has been notified under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, or the rules and regulations created in accordance with it, according to FSSAI.
Additionally, the watchdog stated that the Food Category System, which is included in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations of 2011, should not be used for naming or labeling products.
According to the FSSAI, the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 forbids functional or therapeutic claims for food products, such as “boost energy levels,” “enhance focus,” “vitalizes body and mind,” “stimulates mind,” “energizes body,” and “aid in general weakness. ”
The authority also stated that the brands had used terms like energy drink to promote and label their products while making statements that are not permitted by the current regulatory structure.
In an attempt to prevent misleading claims and misbranding in the food and beverage industry and to ensure that product labels adhere to the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act and associated laws, the FSSAI is continuously sending out these notices.
The regulator sent notices to several food business operators (FBOs) in June for alleged infractions connected to misleading product claims, branding and labelling policies, and customer complaints, and instructed them to make the necessary repairs.