FSSAI Issues Notices to Nestle and Zydus Over Misleading Claims

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued notices to several major food and healthcare companies on October 21, 2026, for allegedly misleading health claims and the illegal promotion of infant milk substitutes. The regulator is targeting over 150 food and beverage makers as part of a broader crackdown on non-compliant advertising and packaging.

Nestle India faces scrutiny for claims that its Lactogen Pro 1 Powder is easy to digest and that Nan Excella Pro Stage 1 supports the immune system. Zydus Wellness Products Limited received notices regarding its Complan product for assertions including 2X Faster Growth and Pro Immunity+. The FSSAI has demanded scientific substantiation for these claims, stating that assertions regarding the prevention or treatment of physiological conditions are non-compliant unless specifically permitted.

Additionally, the regulator issued notices to Abbott Healthcare, Nutricia International, Mead Johnson Nutrition (India), and social media influencer Ira Fathima for promoting infant milk substitutes on Instagram. The action follows an Instagram reel by Fathima that listed top infant formula products and attributed benefits such as brain development and stronger immunity to them. The FSSAI alleges these promotions violate the Infant Milk Substitutes Act of 1992 and the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations of 2020. All affected parties must now show cause why action should not be initiated under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006.