On 21 October 2026, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) publicised notices involving Nestlé infant formula, Zydus Wellness’s Complan, and promotions of milk substitutes on Instagram.
The notices ask for scientific evidence or explanations about advertising. They are not recalls or proof that any named formula is unsafe. That distinction matters when families are already following a feeding plan made with a doctor.
Key Highlights
- FSSAI questioned digestion and immune-support statements linked to Lactogen Pro 1 and NAN Excella Pro Stage 1.
- Complan’s claims concerning faster growth, memory and immunity also came under scrutiny.
- An Instagram recommendation reel raised a separate question about infant formula advertising restrictions.
- The notices seek responses. They do not amount to final findings against the companies.
Which Infant Formula and Nutrition Claims Did FSSAI Question?
The cases concern advertising claims, not a blanket finding against formula. Phrases such as twice-as-fast growth also raise an obvious question: twice as fast as what, measured over which period?
- Lactogen Pro 1: Nestlé was asked to back up its statement about whey protein being easy to digest.
- NAN Excella Pro Stage 1: The regulator questioned a statement connecting five human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) with support for the normal immune system. FSSAI raised concerns that its wording implied benefits tied to a physiological condition.
- Complan: Zydus Wellness was asked for evidence behind claims of twice-as-fast growth, improved concentration or memory, and immunity-related benefits. The question is whether the advertised results have proper scientific support.
Complan is a nutritional drink for children, not an infant formula for babies. The products serve different ages. A claimed growth benefit in a drink for older children should not be read as advice about feeding a newborn.
A 21 October report on the notices describes the product claims under review. The regulator also shared the action through its official X account.
Why Did Infant Formula Promotions on Instagram Draw Attention?
An Instagram reel featuring five recommended formula brands prompted a different regulatory concern. FSSAI issued notices involving influencer Ira Fathima and companies including Abbott Healthcare, Nestlé India, Nutricia International and Mead Johnson Nutrition.
FSSAI questioned whether promoting infant milk substitutes this way complied with the Infant Milk Substitutes Act, 1992, amended in 2003, and the Foods for Infant Nutrition Regulations, 2020.
Infant milk substitute advertising is specially restricted in India. A social-media recommendation can therefore raise compliance questions even when the video makes no direct safety allegation against the named products.
Separately, the 2018 Advertising and Claims Regulations require health-related claims to be substantiated.
What Should Parents Check Before Buying Formula or Nutrition Drinks?
If a baby already receives formula, speak with the paediatrician before changing it, especially for medical reasons.
A claim that a product contains a particular nutrient is different from evidence that it delivers a promised health outcome. Read beyond the front label:
- Age and purpose: Infant formula, follow-up formula and drinks aimed at older children are not interchangeable. Confirm the age group stated on the pack.
- Preparation: Follow the stated scoop-to-water ratio exactly. FSSAI warns against making feeds too dilute or concentrated; check hygiene instructions and discard leftover feed as directed.
- Label details: Review the ingredient list, nutrition declaration, batch number, and expiry date rather than relying on large promises about immunity or height.
Where growth is a concern, a clinician can review measurements over time and feeding history. The WHO’s infant-feeding guidance recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months where possible, with age-appropriate complementary foods thereafter.
Have the Companies Responded, and What Happens Next?
Nestlé India said on 22 October that it had already submitted a detailed response regarding the Lactogen Pro 1 claim. The company described FSSAI’s latest post as a repeat of questions raised in September. Submitting a response is not regulatory clearance; no final finding was confirmed. The regulator may examine supplied evidence before deciding whether further action is warranted.
Parents who spot a questionable promise can report it. Under an FSSAI initiative announced on 30 April 2025, complaints about misleading food-label claims can be lodged through the Food Safety Connect app or FoSCoS. Include the claim, licence number, and listing.
FAQs
Has FSSAI banned Lactogen or NAN infant formula?
No ban or recall was announced in these notices. FSSAI sought evidence and explanations concerning specific advertising claims, not an order directing parents to stop feeding these products.
What does the FSSAI notice about Complan mean?
The regulator asked Zydus Wellness to justify growth, concentration, and immunity claims. A notice begins regulatory scrutiny; it does not itself prove the product fails to provide nutrition.
Can parents trust immunity claims on infant formula?
Such claims require appropriate evidence and must meet advertising rules. Parents should not interpret immune-support wording as a guarantee against infections or a substitute for medical care.
Should parents change their baby’s formula after the notices?
Not solely because of the notices. A paediatrician can assess your baby’s needs, feeding tolerance and any medical condition before advising a change in formula.
Where can parents complain about misleading nutrition advertisements?
Use FSSAI’s Food Safety Connect app or FoSCoS complaint facility. Include a clear label photograph, product details, and any online advertisement link to support the review.
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