Nestle's low-fat dairy whitener sample found 'unsafe' in India, says regulator

Nestle's low-fat dairy whitener, sampled at a New Delhi hotel, has been judged unsafe and substandard by India's food regulator, Business Recorder reported, citing Reuters. The sample from the Lalit hotel was tested, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India announced the result on Saturday via its X account. Authorities have ordered the hotel to halt sales of the product immediately.

Nestle India has responded that the product is safe and meets applicable rules. In its view, the regulator's comparison set total phosphorus against the limit for added phosphorus, leaving out phosphorus naturally found in milk-based ingredients. The company said it is working with authorities and has shared data on similar milk-based products to show natural phosphorus levels.

The regulator has not made its full report public, and it did not immediately answer Reuters' request for comment on Nestle's statement, while the hotel also did not reply. Earlier, in September, the body had found a Nestle baby food sample substandard and said it was taking legal steps against the company. Nestle then maintained that its products met every relevant rule.