Bournvita pulled up by child rights body over misleading ads, weeks after influencer's claims about high sugar

For decades, Indian parents have trusted chocolate-flavoured drinks such as Bournvita, Complan and Horlicks, convinced that they make kids healthier. When Cadbury forced an influencer to take down a video flagging unhealthy sugar levels in Bournvita, the chocolate giant didn't anticipate the backlash that followed.

After a scientist and Zerodha founder Nithin Kamath questioned Bournvita's claims of being a health drink on Twitter, it has been pulled up over false advertising by a child rights body.

Cadbury's action leaves a bitter taste

• The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, has instructed Cadbury's parent firm Mondelez India International to review and pull down misleading ads and labels.

• Apart from high sugar, the NCPCR is also concerned about the presence of other substances including colourants that could harm children.

• The body has mentioned that Bournvita's labels don't contain disclosures mandated under food safety regulations.

It's not just the sugar causing damage

• In his video, Instagrammer Revant Himatsingka had also highlighted the presence of cocoa solids and artificial colour, which could even lead to cancer.

• Himatsingka had agreed to take down the video since he didn't have the resources to fight a legal battle against Cadbury, which had employed a top law firm.

Trapped by its own claims?

• As the firm accused the influencer of spreading misinformation and panic among consumers, it also claimed that Bournvita was designed based on science.

• It was then questioned by a qualified clinician scientist who goes by the alias The Liver Doc on Twitter, since he didn't find any scientific study to substantiate the claims.

• The legal action against an influencer has hence dragged Bournvita's makers into further regulatory trouble.