The Nestlé company will have to provide clarification regarding information about alleged false advertising in some of its products. The notification was made on Tuesday (7) by the National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon), after a complaint from the Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection (Idec) regarding information on labels and in the list of ingredients used in Nesfit brand products, that do not bring as an ingredient the honey mentioned on the packages.
In the complaint, Idec pointed out that the Nesfit line of cookies: Oatmeal and Honey; Nesfit Milk and Honey; Nesfit Cookie Cocoa, Oats and Honey; and Nesfit Matinal Mel com Alêndoas, despite having the word honey in the name, including the food highlighted on the packaging, they do not include the ingredient in the list of their composition.
In the assessment of the institute, the disparity of information between the advertising and the list of ingredients violates the rights of consumers and constitutes misleading advertising, since it can mislead the consumer in relation to the characteristics of a product. In the case in question, Idec argued that the products have honeycomb images on the packaging and other elements and signs directly related to the ingredient.
“In addition to the absence of honey and the packaging elements, which sell the idea of a more natural and healthy product, food additives of the flavoring type were also identified in the products and a high concentration of sugars present in their composition”, pointed out Idec.
With the notification, Nestlé will have 10 working days to explain the information on the labels of these products. If the company does not respond within the deadline, from the date of receipt of the notification, an administrative proceeding may be initiated against the company.
Senacon, which is linked to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, also said that it asked the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) for an opinion on divergent information between labels and ingredients.
“In this way, Nestlé Brasil will also have to prove the use of the images used in relation to the ingredients of the products. The objective is to offer adequate information to consumers, especially on the amount of added sugars and total sugars, according to the nutrition labeling regulations for packaged foods determined by Anvisa”, informed Senacon.
THE Brazil Agency contacted and awaits a response from Nestlé.
