Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), the business that makes well-known drinks like Boost and Horlicks, is completely redesigning their labels. “Functional and Nutritional drinks” is the new category that replaces the term “health drink.”
This action is a result of government restrictions that severely restricted deceptive labeling techniques. E-commerce platforms have been instructed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to discontinue categorizing beverages such as Horlicks as “health drinks.”
HUL disclosed the change in their labeling approach on April 24th at their earnings news conference. Ritesh Tiwari, their chief financial officer, gave an explanation of the change.
Stated changes
No “Health Drink” Classification: There isn’t a category for “health drinks” under India’s 2006 Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS Act).
Excessive Sugar: Several of these drinks include more sugar than is appropriate for a “health” category, according to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
FSSAI Rules: According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the word “health drink” is defined, and it is against the law to use it in any way that does not comply with the rules.
What distinguishes a nutrition drink from a health drink?
The definitions of health drinks, nutritional drinks, and functional drinks might range depending on the regulatory body and the geographical area, according to Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant in internal medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.
“Generally,health drinks are considered beverages that provide essential nutrients and are marketed for their potential health benefits. Nutritional drinks, on the other hand, are formulated to meet specific nutritional requirements, often targeting individuals with particular dietary needs or medical conditions. Functional drinks, meanwhile, are beverages that claim to provide additional physiological benefits beyond basic nutrition, such as enhancing cognitive function, boosting energy levels, or aiding digestion,” Dr Chatterjee mentioned in an interview with Indian Express.
According to Dr. Chatterjee, health drinks generally contain added sugars, which can be harmful to health if eaten in excess, even though they do contain certain nutrients like vitamins and minerals.
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