The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to six leading beverage brands, including Red Bull, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola-backed Monster Energy, over alleged misbranding and misleading claims related to products marketed as “energy drinks.”
The companies that have received notices are Red Bull Energy Drink, PepsiCo’s Adrenaline Rush Energy Drink, Reliance Consumer Products’ Campa Energy Drink Gold Boost, Sting Energy Drink, Hell Energy and Monster Energy. According to the regulator, these products have been marketed using descriptors and claims that are not permissible under existing food regulations.
FSSAI clarified that it has not notified any specific standards or product category called “energy drink” under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations. The regulator also noted that the Food Category System under the regulations is not intended for product naming or labelling purposes.
Also read: FSSAI Issues Notices To 14 More Food Brands Over Misleading Claims & Labelling Concerns
The notices also object to several functional and therapeutic claims associated with such products, including assertions such as “vitalizes body and mind”, “enhances focus”, “boosts energy levels” and “aids in general weakness”. According to FSSAI, such claims are not permitted for food products under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and related regulations.
The action forms part of the regulator’s broader crackdown on misleading labels and health claims across the food and beverage sector. In recent weeks, FSSAI has issued notices to several food business operators over non-compliant labelling, misleading product names and exaggerated health claims in an effort to strengthen consumer protection and ensure greater transparency in food marketing.
