Published Sep 18, 2026 | 5:43 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 18, 2026 | 5:43 PM
Nestle logo. (iStock)
Nestlé India’s baby formula products have come under regulatory scrutiny after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) flagged promotional claims made for its infant nutrition products and initiated adjudication proceedings against the company.
The action relates to claims including “5 HMOs” (5 Human Milk Oligosaccharides – a blend of five specific complex sugars found in human breast milk) and “Whey Protein” displayed for NAN Excella Pro Stage 1, and a “Whey Protein” claim made for Lactogen Pro 1.
FSSAI has filed three separate adjudication cases against Nestlé India Limited in connection with the products and alleged regulatory violations.
According to the regulatory proceedings, FSSAI examined infant nutrition products and promotional material available on e-commerce platforms.
During the examination, NAN Excella Pro Stage 1 was found to carry claims relating to “5 HMOs” and “Whey Protein”.
The product was promoted with references to these ingredients, while Lactogen Pro 1 carried a claim stating that its “Whey Protein” was easy to digest.
FSSAI subsequently sought an explanation from Nestlé India regarding the claims.
The regulator found that the products and their promotional material were in contravention of Regulation 4(2) of the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020.
The proceedings also refer to provisions of the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992, which places restrictions on the advertising and promotion of infant milk substitutes and infant foods.
The regulatory action also includes a separate laboratory finding involving a follow-up formula manufactured by Nestlé India.
A sample of the product was analysed and found to be non-compliant with the prescribed requirement for biotin under the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020.
The sample was subsequently sent for re-analysis at a Referral Laboratory, which also found the product to be non-conforming with the prescribed biotin requirement.
The finding means that the issue was not limited to promotional claims. FSSAI also initiated action in relation to the product’s compliance with the specified nutritional requirement.
Following the regulatory findings, three separate adjudication cases have been filed against Nestlé India Limited in relation to the products and violations cited by the regulator.
The proceedings concern NAN Excella Pro Stage 1 and Lactogen Pro 1 in relation to the promotional claims, while the laboratory finding concerns the follow-up formula and its biotin content.
The regulatory action does not, by itself, establish that the products are unsafe for consumption. The proceedings concern alleged violations of food regulations and prescribed requirements, with adjudication determining the consequences of the violations.
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(With inputs from Sumit Jha.)
