India’s food regulator has demanded scientific evidence for a whey protein digestibility claim on Nestlé India’s Lactogen Pro 1, as scrutiny of nutrition and health claims intensifies.
India’s food regulator has asked Nestlé India to justify a claim on its Lactogen Pro 1 powder that the product contains whey protein, described on pack and in promotional material as easy to digest. According to the notice cited by several Indian outlets, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has directed the company to provide scientific evidence and supporting documents within the stipulated deadline.
The challenge comes as FSSAI intensifies scrutiny of nutrition and health claims across the packaged food sector. The regulator has already taken issue with products including Nan Excella Pro Stage 1 and Complan, and in comments reported by The Economic Times earlier this month, chief executive Rajit Punhani said the authority had issued notices to more than 150 food and beverage makers in recent months over issues ranging from misleading ingredient claims to labelling breaches.
At the centre of the latest notice is a statement that whey protein is a part of milk protein and easy to digest. The regulator says such assertions must be backed by robust scientific substantiation, especially when they appear on packaging or in advertising. That is particularly significant in infant nutrition, where parents often rely heavily on label language when selecting formula and other feeding products.
Livemint reported that FSSAI has also sent notices to Nestlé over promotional claims linked to Nan Excella Pro Stage 1, and to Zydus Wellness over Complan, underscoring that the scrutiny is not limited to one company. The food authority has framed the campaign as part of a wider push to curb misleading advertising and non-compliant claims under India’s food safety rules.
FSSAI is also weighing broader changes to improve the transparency of online grocery sales, including clearer access to manufacturing dates, expiry dates and batch numbers on e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms. As digital food shopping grows, the regulator appears to be extending its enforcement focus beyond shop shelves to the information consumers see online.
Nestlé India has not been reported to have publicly responded to the notice. The company’s next step will likely depend on whether it can produce evidence strong enough to satisfy the regulator that the digestibility claim is scientifically sound.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
