Nestlé Low-Fat Dairy Whitener Banned After FSSAI Declares Sample Unsafe

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered an immediate prohibition on the sale of Nestlé India’s “Low Fat Dairy Whitener.” A sample collected from Bharat Hotels Ltd. (The Lalit) in Connaught Place, New Delhi, was found to be “unsafe” and “substandard,” violating the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006. A notice was issued to Nestlé and the hotel was directed to stop selling the product while the matter proceeds.

FSSAI bans Nestle dairy whitener over ‘unsafe’ sample; company claims ‘full compliance’ with norms CNN-News18First PostTelegraph IndiaNestle Low Fat Dairy Whitener sale banned: Why FSSAI called it ‘unsafe, substandard’ Hindustan TimesFSSAI says Nestle’s low fat dairy whitener sample collected at Hotel Lalit found “unsafe” Nestle's low fat dairy whitener declared unsafe, substandard by FSSAI

The action follows earlier regulatory scrutiny of Nestlé’s infant-nutrition portfolio. The FSSAI had previously initiated adjudication cases concerning Nestlé products—NAN Excella Pro Stage 1, Lactogen Pro 1, and a follow-up formula that failed biotin standards—citing violations of the Foods for Infant Nutrition Regulations 2020 and the Infant Milk Substitutes Act 1992.

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• October 3 2026 – FSSAI posted on X that the sample from The Lalit was declared unsafe and substandard and issued directives to prohibit its sale. The regulator also supplied Nestlé with the laboratory analysis report and a notice to the hotel.

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• FSSAI: The Food Analyst’s laboratory report classified the product as “substandard” and “unsafe,” indicating a breach of the FSS Act 2006. Nestlé was given an opportunity to appeal within the prescribed period.

Hindustan TimesFirst PostNestle Low Fat Dairy Whitener sale banned: Why FSSAI called it ‘unsafe, substandard’ Nestle's low fat dairy whitener declared unsafe, substandard by FSSAI CNN-News18FSSAI says Nestle’s low fat dairy whitener sample collected at Hotel Lalit found “unsafe” Telegraph IndiaFSSAI bans Nestle dairy whitener over ‘unsafe’ sample; company claims ‘full compliance’ with norms

• Nestlé India spokesperson: The company maintains that the Low Fat Dairy Whitener is safe and complies with all applicable requirements. It argued that phosphorus is naturally present in milk-based products and that the laboratory report measured total phosphorus without accounting for this natural contribution, asserting compliance on an “as-consumed” basis. Nestlé said it has shared comparative data and is engaged with the regulator through the legal process.

FSSAI bans Nestle dairy whitener over ‘unsafe’ sample; company claims ‘full compliance’ with norms FSSAI says Nestle’s low fat dairy whitener sample collected at Hotel Lalit found “unsafe” Nestle Low Fat Dairy Whitener sale banned: Why FSSAI called it ‘unsafe, substandard’ First PostCNN-News18Nestle's low fat dairy whitener declared unsafe, substandard by FSSAI Hindustan Times

• Sample source: Bharat Hotels Ltd. (The Lalit), Connaught Place, New Delhi.

Telegraph India

• Regulatory reference: Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006; Foods for Infant Nutrition Regulations, 2020.

Hindustan Times

• Compliance opportunity: Nestlé may file an appeal against the Food Analyst’s report under the FSS Act 2006 within the period specified by the regulator.

Hindustan Times

The ban highlights the FSSAI’s surveillance of packaged foods marketed to vulnerable groups such as infants and young children. By sharing laboratory findings and enforcing a sales prohibition, the regulator aims to protect consumers from products that do not meet safety and quality standards. Nestlé’s rebuttal points to a technical dispute over nutrient measurement methodology, illustrating the challenges regulators face when assessing composite food ingredients.

First Post

• “The food analyst’s laboratory declared the product ‘substandard’ and ‘unsafe’, indicating non-compliance under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006,” — FSSAI spokesperson

FSSAI says Nestle’s low fat dairy whitener sample collected at Hotel Lalit found “unsafe”

• “Both products were found to be in contravention of Regulation 4(2) of the FSS (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, which restricts promotional claims/material intended to increase the saleability of infant foods, and Section 3 of the IMS Act, 1992, which prohibits their advertisement and promotion,” — FSSAI spokesperson

Nestle Low Fat Dairy Whitener sale banned: Why FSSAI called it ‘unsafe, substandard’