Government Orders Removal of Health Drinks Like Bournvita from E-commerce Platforms
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has instructed all e-commerce companies to remove all beverages, including Bournvita, from their websites and platforms categorized as ‘health drinks.’
In a notification, the ministry stated that as per the examination conducted by a legal body of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, ‘health drink’ is not a defined category.
Earlier on April 2, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had instructed all e-commerce companies to categorize the food products sold on their websites correctly. Additionally, the authority also emphasized refraining from misusing terms like ‘health drink’ and ‘energy drink’ to increase the sale of any beverage.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had sent a notice to Mondelez International India Limited, the company that manufactures Bournvita, last year. The notice stated complaints regarding the high sugar content in the product. There are also elements in it that could potentially harm children’s health. Therefore, the company was urged to review all its misleading advertisements, packaging, and labels and withdraw them.
According to a market study reported in the media, the current market size of Indian energy drinks and sports drinks is $4.7 billion, with an expected growth of 5.71% CAGR by 2028.
Adding chocolate powder to milk can make it more appealing to children, but whether it’s healthy depends on various factors. Chocolate milk can provide some nutritional benefits, such as calcium and protein from the milk, and possibly some antioxidants from the cocoa in the chocolate powder. However, many commercially available chocolate powders contain added sugars and artificial ingredients, which can contribute to excess calorie intake and may not be ideal for children’s health if consumed in large quantities.
It’s important for parents to consider the overall nutritional content of the chocolate powder and milk combination, as well as the child’s dietary needs and preferences. Moderation is key, and it’s essential to ensure that chocolate milk is not displacing more nutritious food options in the child’s diet.
As with any food or beverage, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist to determine the most suitable choices for a child’s diet and to ensure that they are meeting their nutritional needs without excessive sugar or additives.
According to an expert, there hasn’t been any significant research on the harm of chocolate powder. If the powder is made by a reputable company, it’s unlikely to cause much harm.
Big companies manufacture it keeping in mind international health regulations.
However, parents should consider some things when giving chocolate powder to children. For example, they should carefully read the ingredients listed on the box or packet when purchasing it.
Parents should also limit how often and how much chocolate powder they give to their children each day.
It’s not advisable to give children chocolate powder in a bowl first and then let them have milk throughout the day.
The more milk they drink, the more sugar they’ll consume, which can be unhealthy. If you’re adding chocolate powder or other artificial flavors, they may contain additional sugar, which is unhealthy.
Moreover, sugar contains carbohydrates, which children can get from normal food, so there’s no need for extra supplements.
Question: What are the harms of consuming too many sweet things?
Answer: Here are some potential harms…
- Increased risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.
- Elevated levels of bad cholesterol in the body.
- Increased risk of diabetes.
- Higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Dental problems such as cavities.
- Negative impact on mental health due to the effects of sugar on cognition and memory.
- Consuming sugar weakens white blood cells by up to 50%, compromising immunity.
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease may develop, leading to fat accumulation in the liver.
Experts:
Dr. Rohit Joshi, Consultant Pediatrician, Bansal Hospital, Bhopal.
Dr. Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad.
Vaishali Verma, Consultant Nutritionist, Manipal Hospital, Dwarka.
