Remove all health drinks, Centre's order to e-commerce firms

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has asked all e-commerce companies to remove all drinks and beverages, including Bournvita, from the category of 'health drinks' from their sites and platforms."National Commission for Protection of Child Rights,after its inquiry under Section 14 of CPCR Act, 2005, concluded that there is no "Health Drink defined under FSS Act 2006, Rules and regulations as submitted by FSSAI and Mondelez India Food Pvt Ltd," the ministry said a notification.The advisory comes on the back of an investigation by the NCPCR that found the Bournvita contains sugar levels, much above the acceptable limits.This comes after the FSSAI, on April 2, asked all e-commerce companies to ensure appropriate categorisation of food products sold on their websites.FSSAI has clarified that the term ‘health drink’ is not defined or standardised anywhere under the FSS Act 2006 or the rules and regulations made thereunder.
The corrective action aims to enhance clarity and transparency regarding the nature and functional properties of the products, and ensuring that consumers can make well-informed choices without encountering misleading information, the statement further said.The controversy over the 'unhealthy' nature of Bournvita first arose after a YouTuber in his video slammed the powder supplement and informed that it contained excessive sugar, cocoa solids and harmful colourants that could lead to serious health hazards in children, including cancer.