FDA: Nestle Misbranded Beverages

WASHINGTONFDA sent warning letters to Nestle saying the Swiss company made unauthorized nutrient content claims about some of its childrens beverages, reports Reuters. The letters, sent in early December 2009 and made public on Dec 22, said Nestles mislabeled Juicy Juice Brain Development Fruit Juice Beverage (Apple), Juicy Juice All-Natural 100% Juice Orange Tangerine, Juicy Juice All-Natural 100% Juice Grape and Boost Kid Essentials Nutritionally Complete Drink.

The No sugar added claim on the brain development drink is not permitted on foods for children younger than 2 years old, wrote FDA in a Dec. 4 letter.  FDA also wrote a nutrient content claim cannot be made for a food intended for use by infants and children younger than 2 years of age except for statements that describe the percentage of a vitamin or mineral in relation to a reference daily intake (RDI). However, Nesltes label states Helps support brain developmentIn children under two years old. FDA said Nestles Web site made the same mislabeling claims.

 In a Dec. 3 letter, FDA said Nestle's Boost Kid Essentials Nutritionally Complete Drink, in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry flavors, was promoted as a medical food, but did not meet requirements for that type of claim.