Global food and beverage brands sell products in India with different recipes and labeling than those sold in other international markets [1, 2].
This discrepancy raises concerns about public health equity and whether consumers in India receive the same nutritional quality as those in the United Kingdom or other regions [1, 2].
A Reuters investigation examined several major global brands, including Maggi, Fanta, Nestlé, and Coca-Cola [1, 2]. The report found that these companies utilize different formulations for the same branded products depending on the geography. These differences specifically involve sugar levels, oil content, and the ingredients used in the recipes [1, 2].
Beyond the physical ingredients, the investigation highlighted variations in front-of-pack nutrition warnings [1, 2]. While some markets require stringent health alerts, the labels in India may differ in how they communicate nutritional risks to the consumer [1, 2].
The investigation suggests these variations are linked to local labeling rules and the regulations set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) [1, 2]. Companies often adjust their products to comply with regional laws or to cater to local tastes, a practice that can result in differing health profiles for the same product name [1, 2].
Public health advocates said that inconsistent formulations can mislead consumers who assume a global brand maintains a universal standard of quality [1, 2]. The findings put pressure on regulators to ensure that local standards do not allow for lower-quality ingredients than those permitted in Western markets [1, 2].
“Global food and beverage brands sell products in India with different recipes and labeling than those sold in other international markets.”
The variation in product formulations suggests a regulatory gap where global corporations can optimize ingredients based on the leniency of local laws rather than a single global health standard. If India's FSSAI regulations are less stringent than those in the UK or EU, consumers may be exposed to higher levels of sugar or less healthy oils under the guise of a trusted global brand name.
