The definition of food as per Section 22 of Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 covers Nutraceuticals, health supplements, dietary supplements, novel foods as well as proprietary food. These food products have to be approved from ‘FSSAI’, the apex food regulator, before their manufacturing, import and further distribution/sale in the Indian market as they have been categorized as Non-Standardized food products.

Since different people have different effects from these products, their manufacturers have to follow the regulations & various standards to keep their potency and legitimacy intact.The presence of fake & counterfeit products has made the government to tighten the prevailing rules and regulations.FSSAI has already taken various measures to keep the fake products out of the market.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had released new guidelines for the supplement industry. These guidelines aim to ensure the safety and efficacy of dietary supplements, and to help consumers make informed choices when purchasing such products.

In this blog, we will unfold the key highlights of FSSAI Guidelines for Food Supplements.

Some key highlights of the guidelines include:

• Definition of Health Supplements:

The FSSAI has defined health supplements as products that are intended to supplement the diet and provide additional nutrients or other bioactive substances. These include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, or other botanicals.

• Labeling Requirements:

The new guidelines require health supplements to display a prominent declaration on the label stating that the product is a health supplement. The label must also include a list of ingredients, their amounts, and the recommended serving size.

• Safety Requirements:

Health supplements must be safe for human consumption and must not contain any harmful substances or contaminants. Manufacturers are required to conduct safety tests and provide evidence of their safety.

• Quality Control:

The FSSAI has established quality control requirements for health supplements, which include testing for purity, strength, and composition.

• Advertising and Claims:

Manufacturers are prohibited from making false or misleading claims about the benefits of their health supplements. They must also comply with regulations on advertising and promotion.

• Proprietary blend:

If a proprietary blend is used in a health supplement, the FSSAI requires that the label list the individual ingredients in the blend in descending order of their proportions. This allows consumers to know what is in the product and make informed decisions about its use.

Currently, the emphasis people are giving on health has increased the need for India’s food supplement regulations to be stricter. Consumers expect strict regulations from regulators like the FSSAI to take illegal or counterfeit products off the market. As these products have high profit margins, the offenders create copies of them. It goes without saying that such products could completely wreck havoc on a person’s health. Such challenges are taken extremely seriously by the FSSAI, which works to close any gaps that can jeopardize the interests of end consumers. Regarding the health and safety of the client, the current FSSAI standards for food supplements appear to be bang on. It is important to note that the FSSAI regularly updates its regulations and guidelines. So, it is always a good idea to check the FSSAI’s website for the latest information and updates.