Controversies and many more

A recent video on the super high sugar content of Bournvita by a social media influencer went viral. The Mondelez India-owned health drink company dismissed charges of excessive sugar content, calling the video “unscientific” and accusing it of “distorting facts and drawing false and negative inferences.” Influencer Revant Himatsingka removed the video after the firm served him with a legal notice. The video had received around 12 million views and had been shared widely on social media sites and by many prominent people. However, that’s not the end of the narrative.

Media and social media is filled with controversy over many health benefits touted by the creators of health drinks or health boosters which are controversial claims. Many health professionals and Consumer Voice have contended that the claims of scientific procedures or research, as well as the scientific evidence for everything written on the health products claims, are not evidence based. “Cadbury’s claims on muscle and bone growth, immunity enhancement, and brain development are misleading – there are no controlled studies to show the same,” one doctor asserted. Surely a glass of milk in itself has the goodness of growth.

Food regulator FSSAI stated that it is continuing to take action against food business operators who have been alleged to be making false or misleading statements in order to protect consumer interests, following an investigation into allegations of high sugar content in Mondelez India-owned health drink brand Bournvita. Although the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) did not specifically mention the Bournvita incident, the regulator stated in a statement that it has taken note of various media reports, including on social media, about various health claims made by the country’s Food Business Operators (FBOs).

As a consumer, what are your views on this? Do you think health products should disclose their sugar, salt and saturated fats content upfront? These brands have become a staple diet in many homes and in the name of nutrition and growth, are we feeding our children with sugar? Aren’t we seeding in diabetes, obesity, kidney and other diseases? Aren’t we falling into the misleading advertising trap? That’s a lot to think about, isn’t it?

I hope you have loved reading the one subject editorial and will continue to support us in bringing the best, interesting and informative articles for your perusal. In the meantime, keep reading the articles we have brought you this month. We discuss Home Insurance Policy, a review on Double Door Refrigerators and many more. Do share your thoughts at info@consumer-voice.org.

Until then, happy reading!

Pallabi Boruah

Editor