Bournvita Directed to Remove Misleading Advertisement, NCPCR Seeks Report within 7 Days

NEW-DELHI: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has sent a notice to its owner, Mondelez India, following allegations that Bournvita, which claims to improve children's health, contains almost half of the sugar. Misleading advertisements, packaging and labels have been asked to be removed. A reply and a detailed report have also been sought from the company within seven days.

It is alleged that the risk of diabetes may increase due to the high amount of sugar in Bournvita being sold in the name of 'health drink'. This claim has been made by analyst Revant Himatsingka by posting a video. After the video went viral, the company sent a legal notice to Revant, upon which Revant deleted the video from everywhere. However, by then it had been viewed by about 1.20 crore people. The Children's Commission has received complaints that Bournvita has harmed the health of children while claiming to help their physical growth and development. The Commission has now issued a notice seeking a detailed report on withdrawal of misleading advertisements, packaging, labels.

"It has come to the notice of the Commission that the packaging, labelling, display and advertisement of the company's products are misleading the consumers. Correct information is not being given on the label and packaging", the commission wrote in a notice sent to Deepak Iyer, president of the company's India unit. 

Over 70 years, the company has earned the trust of Indian consumers through scientifically formulated products, a Bournvita spokesperson claimed on Revant's video. Products are manufactured in compliance with laws. All the company's claims are verified, and they are transparent.