New Delhi, July 2: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to several beverage brands, including Red Bull, PepsiCo India, and Campa, regarding the use of the term ‘energy drink’ and allegedly misleading claims on product labels.
The FSSAI stated that no standards have been established for such products under food safety regulations.
In a social media post, the food regulator mentioned that it had sent notices to brands like Red Bull Energy Drink, Hell Energy (Hell Energy Private Limited), Campa Energy Drink, Monster Energy, and PepsiCo India Holdings Private Limited’s Adrenaline Rush and Sting for violating branding and labeling rules.
According to the FSSAI, the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 and its associated rules and regulations do not define standards for energy drinks or similar products.
The regulator clarified that the ‘Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011’ should not be used for naming or labeling products under the food category system.
Furthermore, the FSSAI stated that the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 does not permit claims that suggest functional or therapeutic benefits, such as increasing energy levels, enhancing focus, refreshing the body and mind, stimulating the brain, providing energy, or aiding in general weakness.
The regulator also accused these brands of using terms like ‘energy drink’ in their marketing and labeling, making claims that are not permissible under existing regulations.
These notices are part of the FSSAI’s efforts to curb misleading branding and claims in the food and beverage sector. The aim is to ensure that product labels comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act and its associated regulations.
Earlier in June, the regulator had sent notices to several food business operators (FBOs) due to misleading claims about products, branding, labeling practices, and violations related to customer complaints. They were also instructed to take corrective measures.
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