New Delhi: Apex child rights body NCPCR on Wednesday asked Mondelez India-owned brand Bournvita to withdraw all “misleading” advertisements, packaging and labels following a video that claimed the health drink has high sugar content . In a notice to the confectionery major, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) also asked it to send a detailed explanation within seven days or a report to apprise the panel on the matter.
The notice came after a social media influencer sparked a controversy by posting a video alleging that Bournvita has high sugar content. Although the influencer, Revanth Himatsingka, removed the video from all platforms after being served a legal notice by Mondelez India, it had already been viewed nearly 12 million times and was widely circulated.
The NCPCR said it has received a complaint alleging that Bournvita promotes itself as a health drink to improve growth and development of children but contains high percentage of sugar and other substances which are harmful to the health of the child. can influence.
Deepak Iyer, President-India, Mondelez International, said in the notice sent to the child rights body, “In this regard the commission is of the view that the product manufactured by your company is misleading the customers through product packaging and advertisements.” The Commission believes that your product’s labeling, packaging, display and advertising claims are misleading to the general public.”
The NCPCR said that the labeling and packaging of the product also fails to acknowledge the correct information about the ingredients used in Bournvita health drink. It asked Mondelez International to review and withdraw all “misleading advertisements, packaging and labels, and send a detailed statement/report to apprise the Commission in the said matter within seven days”.
Responding to the viral video, Bournvita had earlier said that over the last seven decades, it has “earned the trust of consumers in India as a scientifically formulated product that adheres to quality standards and complies with the laws of the country”. does”.
“We would like to reaffirm that the formulation is scientifically designed by a team of nutritionists and food scientists to provide optimum taste and health. All our claims are verified and transparent and all ingredients have regulatory approvals All necessary nutritional information is mentioned on the pack for consumers to make an informed choice,” a spokesperson of Bournvita had said.