FSSAI Directs E-commerce Platforms to Rectify Mislabeling of Health Drinks

E-commerce platforms that promote dairy-based, cereal-based, or malt-based beverages have been directed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to stop using the terms "health drink" as a "energy drink." The initiative's purpose is to help consumers make educated purchasing decisions by assuring accuracy and transparency in product labeling.

The FSSAI made it clear that the term "energy drinks" exclusively refers to water-based beverages with flavor, whether carbonated and non-carbonated. The guideline addresses the misclassification of some products sold as "energy drinks" or "health drinks" in an effort to promote customer safety and confidence.

The authority pointed out that whereas "energy drink" refers only to items that are licensed under certain FSS categories and meet specific standards, the word "health drink" is not standardized under the FSS Act 2006 and its regulations.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) has underlined the importance of food safety standards and regulations to protect consumer interests. It has clarified that the phrase 'health drink' is not standardized under the FSS Act 2006, whereas 'energetic drinks' apply to flavored water-based beverages. The FSSAI asks ecommerce Food Business Operators (FBOs) to remove or separate certain beverages from the 'Health Drinks or Energy Drinks' category in order to ensure compliance with FSSAI regulatory criteria.

Shilpa Khatri, Chief Dietician of Jindal Steel and Power, highlights the significance of reading food labels, particularly 'health drinks', because they frequently include excessive sugar levels, which may undermine their health claims. Understanding nutritional information is essential to making informed food decisions, allowing people to choose healthier options and control their nutritional intake more effectively.

Healthcare professionals are concerned about teenagers' increased intake of energy drinks, highlighting 2014 studies that demonstrate potential health risks such as heart rhythm disturbances, high blood pressure, migraines, anxiety, and impaired memory. Experts are recommending new rules for limiting soda and caffeine consumption in youngsters in order to promote improved lifespans and better health.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/ Susmita Bhandary/MSM)