Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 20: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has expressed concern over food companies failing to comply with mandatory labelling requirements for nutraceuticals, health supplements and other specialised food products, warning of action against violators.
In an advisory issued on Monday, the food regulator stressed the need for strict compliance with labelling requirements and warning statements for plant and botanical ingredients and their extracts.
“Several Food Business Operators (FBOs) engaged in the manufacture and sale of nutraceuticals, health supplements, or food for special dietary use or food for special medical purpose, etc., are not adhering to the mandatory labelling requirements and warning statements,” FSSAI said in its advisory.
The regulator said the Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations, 2016, govern the manufacture, sale and distribution of these specialised food categories.
These include health supplements, nutraceuticals, foods for special dietary use, foods for special medical purposes, products containing added prebiotic and probiotic ingredients, functional foods and novel foods.
FSSAI said the regulations prescribe standards for the permissible limits of plant-based and botanical ingredients and their extracts, whether used individually or in combination with other ingredients.
The rules also establish stringent labelling requirements and prohibit products from making medicinal claims or suggesting that they can cure diseases.
Warning statements must be displayed prominently and clearly, using legible text, to ensure consumers understand the nature and limitations of these products. Such requirements are particularly important to prevent misuse by vulnerable groups and to help consumers make informed decisions.
FSSAI has called on food business operators to ensure full compliance with the prescribed requirements. Companies failing to meet the standards could face regulatory action.