Nestlé India has defended its Low Fat Dairy Whitener, saying the product is safe to consume and complies with applicable regulatory requirements after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) classified a tested sample as “unsafe” and “substandard.”
The sample was collected from the premises of Bharat Hotels Ltd., which operates The LaLiT in Connaught Place, New Delhi. FSSAI said the Food Analyst's laboratory report found the sample non-compliant under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and directed the food business operator to immediately prohibit its sale.
Nestlé Cites Naturally Occurring Phosphorus
Responding to the regulatory action, Nestlé India said phosphorus is a nutrient naturally present in milk and milk-based products.
The company argued that the laboratory assessment reflects total phosphorus against the limit applicable to additives, without accounting for the substantial amount of phosphorus naturally contributed by milk-based ingredients.
Nestlé said its product is fully compliant with the prescribed limits for added phosphorus under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations (FSSR), including on an “as consumed” basis. The company also said it has shared data on similar milk-based products with the authorities to demonstrate the presence of naturally occurring phosphorus.
FSSAI Orders Immediate Sale Prohibition
FSSAI said a copy of the laboratory analysis report was provided to the food business operator and that a notice was issued regarding the non-compliant product.
The operator was given an opportunity to appeal against the Food Analyst's report within the prescribed period. The regulator's public communication, however, does not identify the specific laboratory parameter or finding that resulted in the sample being classified as unsafe and substandard.
The LaLiT has also said that it discontinued use of the product and removed the packets from its operations after receiving the communication from FSSAI. The hotel said the sample had been collected by the regulator approximately three months earlier.
Dairy Standards Under Scrutiny
The development highlights the importance of correctly interpreting analytical results for milk-based products, particularly when naturally occurring nutrients overlap with substances that may also be present as permitted food additives.
FSSAI's standards separately prescribe compositional requirements for categories including Low Fat Dairy Whitener, covering parameters such as moisture, milk fat, milk protein, insolubility index and ash.
The matter remains subject to the regulatory process. At this stage, FSSAI's classification applies to the tested sample, while Nestlé disputes the interpretation underlying the finding and maintains that its product meets the applicable requirements.
Source: Dairynews7x7 05 Oct, 2026 Read full story here
#FoodSafety #DairyIndustry #FSSAI #NestleIndia #DairyQuality #FoodTesting #DairyNews7x7
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