FSSAI Asks Beverage Companies to Phase Out 'Energy Drink' Label Within 90 Days
FSSAI has reportedly asked beverage companies to phase out the term "energy drink" from product labels within 90 days, pending a formal notification.
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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has reportedly asked beverage companies to phase out the use of the term "energy drink" from product labels within the next 90 days, a move that could require manufacturers to redesign packaging and update marketing materials across the category.
The regulator recently held meetings with industry representatives and state food safety officials and has given companies an indicative three months transition period to implement the labelling changes, the Hindu BusinessLine report said. It has yet to issue a formal notice setting out the timetable for implementation.
This comes after FSSAI issued notices to some beverage manufacturers for using the term “energy drink” for products registered under the caffeinated beverage category.
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Labelling Changes:
The regulator has said it has not notified a separate food standard for products marketed as energy drinks. It has also raised concerns on functional and therapeutic claims on such products saying that the terminology could potentially mislead consumers.
Industry representatives have warned the FSSAI of major operational and commercial challenges in case of a sudden switch and have asked it to take a consultative and phased approach.
Changing packaging on products already in warehouses and stores could result in big inventory write-offs, supply chain disruptions and higher compliance costs for companies, the report said.
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The Indian Beverage Association (IBA) also wrote to the regulator raising concerns that its member companies already meet the standards in place for caffeinated beverages.
The association said the current regulatory framework does not prohibit the use of the term "energy drink" as a market descriptor. It also said the category is internationally recognised, including under the Codex General Standard for Food Additives, a reference point for food regulators in many countries.
The term is understood by consumers and is in line with international labelling practice, the IBA said. Earlier advisories by FSSAI had not considered the phrase to be inconsistent with food safety regulations in India, the industry body said, and therefore the proposed change was a major shift in the regulatory interpretation.
