The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to Dr Reddy’s, Nestle Health Science, Tirupati Wellness, Flipkart India, Amazon Seller Services and Netmeds Healthcare over allegedly non-compliant advertising and claims for the product Celevida GLP+ on e-commerce platforms.
The companies have been asked to show cause why action should not be initiated against them under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules and regulations made under it, according to the food regulator. FSSAI announced the action in a social media post on Thursday.
The regulator said Celevida GLP+ was promoted as “High Protein Support for Lean Muscle Preservation during GLP-1/GIP Therapies”. It said the product’s brand name and claims relating to GLP-1 and GIP therapies created a misleading association with those therapies and implied suitability for a specific physiological condition.
FSSAI said a disclaimer stating that “Celevida GLP” was only a brand name and did not represent the product’s true nature was not sufficient to remove the misleading impression created by the overall presentation. It also found claims that the product could help maintain lean muscle, support muscle strength and preserve lean mass to be misleading, saying they could portray the product as a complete nutrition product or meal replacement.
The regulator further flagged the claim “Contains 100% RDA BCAA” and a representation of purity based on the product’s European origin. It directed food business operators to discontinue the use of the term “100%” on food labels, packaging and promotional material.
The action also covers separate food-safety findings involving products sold through online retail channels. FSSAI suspended the licence of Shreyash Retail Pvt Ltd after inspections and complaints related to expired or rotten food products sold through Flipkart. The regulator said the retailer had been repeatedly linked to such sales, with more than 130 consumer complaints or grievances, including 70 complaints specifically concerning expired or rotten food.
In some cases, consumers reported vomiting after consuming the products, FSSAI said. Inspections of warehouses in Delhi and Noida found expired and near-expiry food products, along with deficiencies in hygienic and sanitary conditions.
FSSAI also sanctioned prosecution against Nex International after a sample of loose raisins was found to contain pesticide residues above the prescribed maximum limits. The Primary Food Analyst classified the sample as unsafe. Although the food business operator appealed against the report, a counterpart sample sent to a Referral Laboratory was also confirmed as unsafe.
The regulator said the confirmed sample contained pesticide residues including benomyl and carbendazim, expressed as carbendazim, as well as lambda-cyhalothrin above the maximum permitted limits. The notices, licence suspension and prosecution sanction represent separate regulatory actions covering advertising claims, online retail practices, warehouse hygiene and food contamination. Further action will depend on the responses and proceedings under the Food Safety and Standards Act and associated regulations.
