Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2025
SEBI insider-trading compliance warning
In March 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India warned Nestlé India over an alleged breach of insider-trading regulations.
2022
Nestlé India withdraws KitKat packs after backlash
Company response
After social media backlash over images of Hindu deities on a limited KitKat range, Nestlé India withdrew the packs from the market and apologized, saying it regretted inadvertently hurting religious sentiments.
Company response
Apology — Nestle India
Following the strong backlash on social media, the firm issued an apology
Remediation — Nestle India
Informing consumers about the withdrawal of the packs from the market
Source excerpt
Informing consumers about the withdrawal of the packs from the market, Nestle India further said that they understand the sensitivity of the matter and regret inadvertently hurting anyone's sentiment.
Nestle India, a subsidiary of the world's largest food and beverage company, has withdrawn a range of chocolate bars after facing backlash from social media users for using photos of Hindu Gods on the wrapper.
Following the strong backlash on social media, the firm issued an apology and tweeted to convey that the intention was not to hurt anyone's religious sentiments.
2021
Nestle India apologises for incorrect KitKat packaging depiction
Company response
Nestle India apologised after authorities objected to KitKat packaging that placed Keibul Lamjao National Park in Meghalaya and displayed a Red Panda said not to be found there. The company spokesperson said it would launch two new packs celebrating the parks.
Company response
Apology — Nestle India
New Delhi: FMCG major Nestle India on Friday apologised for wrongly depicting Manipur's Keibul Lamjao National Park location in Meghalaya on the packaging of its KitKat chocolate after objection by authorities from the state government.
Source excerpt
New Delhi: FMCG major Nestle India on Friday apologised for wrongly depicting Manipur's Keibul Lamjao National Park location in Meghalaya on the packaging of its KitKat chocolate after objection by authorities from the state government.
The spokesperson further said,"We are launching two new packs as soon as possible to bring to light the beauty of these destinations.
2019
Nestlé India fined Rs 90 crore over GST rate cut
Fine or penalty
India's national anti-profiteering agency imposed a Rs 90 crore penalty on Nestlé India for not passing the GST reduction benefit on to consumers and ordered it to deposit the amount within three months. The order said the company had denied customers the benefit in contravention of the law and had profiteered.
Source excerpt
The national anti-profiteering agency has slapped a Rs 90 crore penalty on FMCG giant Nestle India for not passing on the benefit of the goods and services tax (GST) reduction to consumers. It also asked Nestle to deposit the amount within 3 months.
"Profiteered amount as determined as Rs 89,73,16,384 as per the provision of Rule 133(1) of the above rules as has been computed," the December 10 order said.
The maker of products, like Maggi and Kitkat, Nestle, "has denied the benefit of tax reduction to customers in contravention of the provisions of Section 171 (1) of the CGST Act, 2017 and has thus profiteered."
2015
Maggi noodles food-safety controversy and ban
In 2015, testing concerns involving lead and monosodium glutamate led Delhi authorities to impose a temporary restriction and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to order a nationwide ban on Maggi noodles. Nestlé India recalled approximately 38,000 tonnes of product and was fined ₹45 lakh by a district administration. The Bombay High Court later overturned the ban subject to new testing by accredited laboratories, after which the product returned to the market.