India, Aug. 28 -- Bengaluru based Sami-Sabinsa has sent a cease & desist letter to Applied Food Sciences (AFS) for making claims of high levels of natural vitamin C in that company's branded amla(Emblica officinalis)extract.

The letter states that AFS's representations that the product contains 25% vitamin C derived from amla (which is not technically possible) "mislead and deceive consumers and constitute unfair competition and false advertising under applicable law."

As Sami-Sabinsa reminded the industry inJune, research has confirmed that amla does not contain ascorbic acid in consistent amounts, and often only in trace quantities, which is why it is neither a valid biomarker nor a source of high amounts of vitamin C.Sami-Sabinsa sci...