The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has filed three adjudication cases against Nestle India over its infant nutrition products, citing unauthorised promotional claims and Biotin non-compliance found during laboratory testing. The regulator’s action targets NAN Excella Pro Stage 1, Lactogen Pro 1, and a follow-up infant formula, and follows a review of promotional material found on e-commerce platforms.
FSSAI examined the labelling and online promotional content of Nestle India’s infant nutrition range after flagging claims such as “5 HMOs” and “Whey Protein” on NAN Excella Pro Stage 1, and a “Whey Protein is easy to digest” claim on Lactogen Pro 1. A separate laboratory sample of a Nestle India follow-up formula was found to contain Biotin below the prescribed standard, a result confirmed on re-analysis by a referral laboratory. Following the disclosure, Nestle India shares closed 0.4 per cent lower at Rs 1,364.90 on September 18, 2026, after touching an intraday low of Rs 1,332.80.
Why Has FSSAI Taken Action Against Nestle India’s Infant Nutrition Products?
FSSAI said the two promotional claims on NAN Excella Pro Stage 1 and Lactogen Pro 1 violate Regulation 4(2) of the FSS (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, which bars promotional material designed to boost the saleability of infant foods. The regulator also invoked Section 3 of the Infant Milk Substitutes (IMS) Act, 1992, which prohibits advertising and promotion of such products. Separately, the follow-up formula’s sub-standard Biotin content breached the 2020 infant nutrition regulations after two independent laboratory tests confirmed the deficiency.
What Does This Mean for India’s Packaged Baby Food Industry?
The enforcement action adds to a string of FSSAI interventions this year targeting health and nutrient claims on packaged food aimed at children, including an August 2026 order that led Mondelez to remove certain claims from Bournvita listings on e-commerce platforms. For India’s food processing and infant nutrition segment, part of a food processing industry valued at more than $500 billion, the case signals tighter scrutiny of promotional claims across online retail listings, not just physical packaging. Competing infant formula makers may now pre-emptively review their own e-commerce claims to avoid similar adjudication proceedings. The order also lands during a period of heightened food-safety enforcement across India, with regulators recently acting against adulteration and labelling violations from Maharashtra to Uttar Pradesh.
Market Reaction and Industry Response
Nestle India’s stock dipped marginally on the news, reflecting investor caution rather than alarm, given the company’s scale in India’s FMCG food segment. A Nestle India spokesperson said the company’s products comply with applicable regulations, adding that NAN Excella Pro and Lactogen Pro, along with their labels, were approved by an FSSAI expert committee. The company said it had submitted a detailed response to the authorities, maintaining that the label statements were factual and backed by scientific literature, and reiterated it would continue cooperating with FSSAI’s consumer-awareness efforts.
What Happens Next?
The three adjudication cases will proceed through FSSAI’s formal enforcement process, where Nestle India can present further evidence before any penalty or corrective order is issued. Analysts expect the case timeline to extend over several months given the technical nature of the Biotin testing dispute. Watch for FSSAI’s next update on the adjudication hearings and whether other infant nutrition brands face similar e-commerce claim reviews in the coming weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What products are involved in the FSSAI case against Nestle India?
The case covers NAN Excella Pro Stage 1, Lactogen Pro 1, and a follow-up infant formula manufactured by Nestle India, over promotional claims and Biotin content non-compliance.
Why did FSSAI file cases over Biotin content?
Laboratory analysis of a Nestle India follow-up formula sample found Biotin below the prescribed standard under the FSS (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, a result confirmed by a second referral laboratory test.
How has Nestle India responded to the FSSAI action?
Nestle India says its products comply with all applicable regulations, that NAN Excella Pro and Lactogen Pro labels were approved by an FSSAI expert committee, and that it has submitted a detailed response defending its label claims.
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