FSSAI issues notices over Celevida GLP+ health claims

MUMBAI: When health claims promise to pack a punch, regulators want to know whether the science packs one too. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Nestlé Health Science and four online sellers over alleged non-compliant advertising and health claims associated with Celevida GLP+, a high-protein nutritional supplement marketed to people undergoing GLP-1/GIP therapy.

The notices, issued on 8 October 2026, also name Flipkart India, Amazon India, Netmeds Healthcare and Tirupati Wellness. FSSAI has sought explanations from the companies about the product’s claims and how it was advertised on e-commerce platforms. The notices are not a final finding of wrongdoing; further regulatory action will depend on the responses received.

At the heart of the matter is Celevida GLP+’s positioning around lean muscle preservation during weight loss and GLP-1/GIP treatment. The regulator questioned the claim “High protein support for lean muscle preservation during GLP-1/GIP therapies”, saying it could imply that the supplement is suitable for a specific physiological condition.

FSSAI has also flagged the brand name Celevida GLP+, which it said could create a potentially misleading association between the supplement and the therapies. Other claims under scrutiny include “Help Maintain Lean Muscle”, “support muscle strength” and “preserves lean mass”. According to the regulator, these statements could suggest that the product helps prevent or mitigate the loss of lean body mass during weight loss and GLP-1/GIP therapy.

The claim that the product was “imported from Europe for purity” has also been identified as potentially misleading. The regulator is seeking explanations on these statements and their presentation to consumers, rather than announcing a final determination on the alleged violations.

The distinction is important: describing a supplement as high in protein communicates its nutritional composition, while suggesting that it preserves muscle during a particular therapy may create an expectation of a specific health benefit. FSSAI’s concerns centre on whether the product’s branding and advertising could lead consumers to interpret the claims as more than general nutritional support.

The notices extend the scrutiny beyond the product’s manufacturers to the online sellers named by FSSAI. Product descriptions and promotional messaging on e-commerce platforms can influence how consumers understand a supplement’s intended use and potential benefits before making a purchase.

By naming Amazon India, Flipkart India, Netmeds Healthcare and Tirupati Wellness, the regulator has sought explanations covering the product’s online advertising and claims. The action does not, by itself, establish that each named company has violated the rules.

Celevida GLP+ was launched in May 2026 by the venture involving Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Nestlé Health Science. The high-protein powder was positioned around the nutritional needs and muscle-mass maintenance of people taking GLP-1 drugs used for weight management and diabetes.

The case highlights the scrutiny nutritional products can face when their marketing connects them with specific therapies or physiological outcomes. The question is not simply whether a product contains protein, but whether its name and promotional claims could imply benefits that consumers may interpret as treatment-related.

FSSAI has sought responses from the companies before considering further action. Until that process is completed, the concerns remain allegations rather than a final finding of non-compliance.