Why It Is Important For Cadbury To Disclose Scientific Studies To Prove Its Claims On Its Children’s Health Drink Bournvita Or Must Apologize To The Influencer And Stop Further Sales Of Bournvita

Would anyone want to compromise on their children’s health over a product that has (in the aftermath of the high sugar content, pointed out by a particular influencer and extensive media coverage) still not disclosed its scientific research to still the controversy even though the company has approached multiple media channels to stay the apparent health benefits of the children health drink – Bournvita.

If an influencer (Revant Himatsingka) or anyone else (Dr Abby Philips) have raised concerns, then it is the responsibility of the company to come out with their “scientific research” to substantiate their claims and respect their consumer’s right to know!

Just to give the background of the case – an influencer was slapped with a legal notice after he posted a video of the apparent high sugar content in the children’s health drink – Bournvita but was forced to apologize and subsequently take his video down after India’s biggest law firm sent him a legal notice.

As the story broke, we too did our research and came across details that were shared on FoodNetIndia, and now it seems that the same doubt has been raised by another, a qualified doctor at that!

In his Twitter thread, Dr Abby Philips mentioned that since Cadbury cites science, there must be published studies to validate their claims; he raised concerns about the sugar content or other potentially harmful ingredients in Bournvita.

Therefore, Cadbury Bournvita should address those concerns through scientific evidence and transparency, and if they cannot provide adequate evidence to support their claims, or if their claims are found to be false or misleading, then they should apologize and take appropriate action to ensure that their product is not harmful to children.

What Does The Research Say, And Who Does It Back?
While we have already spoken about the specific facts that came up in our earlier article, Dr Philips, too, has come up with a few facts of his own –

• After looking for research, Philips only found one study which backed Himantsingka’s claim instead of Bourvita’s.

• The hepatologist and clinician-scientist from Kerala called Bournvita’s promises of improving bone and muscle health, brain development and immunity misleading.

• He found three studies, with one flagging high caffeine content in Bournvita and another showing how it changes colour due to sugar content.

Further Facts

• Philips also went on to punch holes in Cabury’s claims that using the product as advised is safe.

• He showed how 71 per cent of sugar in a serving of Bournvita is 57 per cent of the recommended upper limit for a day.

• But he mentioned that this doesn’t take into account the addition of more milk and the use of sugar in other day-to-day consumption.

Stop Taking Advantage!

In recent years, there has been growing concern about the ways in which big corporations can take advantage of their customers, particularly in the food industry.
With many companies targeting children with their marketing campaigns, there is a real danger that they may be taking their customers for a ride, especially when they make claims about the health benefits of their products without any scientific data to back them up.

The problem with many food companies is that they are more interested in selling their products than in ensuring that they are healthy for their customers. This is particularly true of companies that market their products to children, who may be less able to make informed choices about what they eat.

With colourful packaging, catchy slogans, and cartoon characters, these companies are able to make their products seem appealing and fun, even when they are loaded with sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.

Child Obesity
One of the biggest dangers of this approach is that it can lead to a rise in childhood obesity and other health problems. Children who consume large amounts of sugary or fatty foods are at risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

In many cases, these health problems can persist into adulthood, causing long-term damage to the individual and putting a strain on healthcare systems.

Where Is The Scientific Backing?
Another problem with big corporations is that they can be slow to respond to emerging scientific evidence about the health risks associated with certain foods. Even when studies show that a particular ingredient or product is harmful, these companies may be reluctant to change their products or marketing strategies, as this could harm their profits.

In some cases, they may even try to suppress the evidence or pay for studies that support their own agenda.
This is why it is so important for food companies to be transparent about their products and the scientific data that supports them. Companies (Cadbury Bournvita) that make claims about the health benefits of their products should be able to provide evidence to back up those claims. If they cannot, they should not be allowed to market their products as suitable for children.

Profits At What Cost?
It is widely recognized that children’s welfare should not be compromised for the sake of profitability and market share. Companies and organizations have a responsibility to prioritize the safety and well-being of children, especially when it comes to products and services that are marketed to them or that they may use.

Child protection laws and regulations exist in many countries to ensure that businesses do not engage in exploitative or harmful practices when it comes to children. This includes laws related to advertising and marketing to children, as well as laws related to the production and distribution of products that may be harmful to children.

Additionally, ethical considerations dictate that children should not be seen solely as a means to an end (such as profit or market share) but rather as individuals with inherent dignity and rights.
Companies and organizations that prioritize children’s well-being and respect their rights are more likely to be seen as responsible and trustworthy by consumers and society as a whole.

What Can Consumers Do?
There are some steps that consumers can take to protect themselves and their children from being taken for a ride by big corporations. One is to read the labels carefully, looking for ingredients such as sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.

Another is to look for independent reviews and studies rather than relying solely on the company’s marketing materials. Finally, parents should talk to their children about healthy eating habits and help them to make informed choices about what they eat.

In conclusion, big corporations have a responsibility to ensure that their products are healthy and safe for their customers, especially children. When they make claims about the health benefits of their products, they must be able to back up those claims with scientific evidence.

Failure to do so can lead to serious health problems for children and damage the reputation of the company in question. It is up to all of us to stay informed and demand transparency from the companies that we buy from

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of companies like Cadbury Bournvita to ensure that their products are safe and healthy for their consumers, especially children, who may be more vulnerable to the effects of unhealthy ingredients. 

And they must come out with scientific research that they claim if they fail to do so, they must apologise to the influencer, or they risk damaging their reputation and losing the trust of their customers.