The Centre has recently requested e-commerce companies to remove Bournvita and all other beverages from the ‘health drink’ category, following an influencer’s apprehensions about its excessive sugar content almost a year ago. This action comes after four months of reducing the sugar content in Bournvita.
On 10 April, the ministry of commerce and industry has recently issued an order, coinciding with the statement from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which highlights the absence of a defined health drink under the FSS Act 2006, rules, and regulations as presented by FSSAl & Mondelez India.
In last April, NCPCR had requested Bournvita to remove all deceptive advertisements, packaging, and labels following the circulation of a viral video by influencer Revant Himatsingka, also known as FoodPharmer, which shed light on the drink’s excessive sugar content and resulted in extensive backlash. Mr. Himatsingka had alleged that Cadbury had made untrue assertions regarding the health advantages of Bournvita and had misrepresented its nutritional value.
The sugar content in this product was 50 grams per 100 grams, which means that half of the bag is purely sugar. However, in December of last year, after eight months, the amount of added sugar was reduced by 14.4%, from 37.4 grams per 100 grams to 32.2 grams per 100 grams.
Previously, the company stated that Bournvita has garnered the affection and trust of consumers for more than seventy years. Bournvita consists of essential nutrients such as Vitamin A, C, D, Iron, Zinc, Copper, and Selenium, which contribute to strengthening the immune system. These nutrients have been incorporated into a specific formula for numerous years.
