India meals security regulator has directed e-commerce platforms to precisely classify merchandise listed as well being and vitality drinks on their web sites.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) stated the transfer is aimed toward enhancing readability and transparency concerning the nature and useful advantages of those merchandise. This initiative is to assist customers make knowledgeable selections and keep away from misinformation, the regulator stated.

The advisory was issued following observations by the FSSAI of merchandise like dairy-based beverage mixes, cereal-based beverage mixes, or malt-based drinks being inaccurately categorized as ‘well being drinks’ or ‘vitality drinks’ on e-commerce websites.

“FSSAI has suggested all e-commerce meals enterprise operators or FBOs (meals enterprise operators) to promptly rectify this misclassification by eradicating or de-linking such drinks or drinks from the class of ‘health drinks’ or ‘energy drinks’ on their web sites and place such merchandise within the applicable class as offered underneath the extant legislation,” it stated in an announcement.

The authority additionally clarified that the time period ‘well being drink’ lacks a definition or standardization underneath the FSS Act 2006 or its subsequent guidelines and rules.

Additionally, the usage of time period ‘energy’ drinks is restricted to merchandise formally licensed underneath the Food Category System (FCS) codes 14.1.4.1 and 14.1.4.2, which pertain to carbonated and non-carbonated water-based flavoured drinks. These are standardized underneath sub-regulation 2.10.6 (2) of the Food Product Standards and Food Additives Regulations 2011, particularly for caffeinated drinks.