Maharashtra FDA Tightens Infant Nutrition Food Norms

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday issued a comprehensive compliance order on food items such as formula milk intended for infant nutrition, including displaying instructions like "Mother's Milk is Best for Your Baby". 

The food safety watchdog stipulated fines up to Rs 10 lakh for violations like misleading advertisements and substandard food, and insisted advertising of formula milk and infant foods, free samples, gifts, cashback, influencer promotion and social-media promotion are prohibited.

FDA



Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the order applies to infant milk foods, follow-up formula, complementary and traditional baby foods, foods for special medical purposes, and feeding bottles - from manufacturers to e-commerce platforms. 

"Every package must display "IMPORTANT NOTICE & MOTHER'S MILK IS BEST FOR YOUR BABY" prominently on the front. Complementary foods are to be introduced only after six months. Images of infants or women are prohibited, as are terms such as "humanised," "maternalised," "complete food," and "health food"," Mundhe stated.