Will Apex Panel's Recommendations Curb Misleading Claims in Nutraceuticals?

Date : 2025-04-21

Published in F&B

Highlights

*. Experts recommend submitting product labels and claims during the licensing process to curb exaggerated health claims.

*. A government panel proposes stricter regulation of nutraceutical advertisements and the establishment of a dedicated monitoring cell at FSSAI.

The Indian government plans to draft stricter rules to curb misleading claims by nutraceuticals, bringing them under the Central Drugs and Cosmetics Safety Authority (CDSCO) instead of the Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI). To tackle exaggerated health claims on health supplements and nutraceuticals, an expert group has advised mandatory presentation of product labels and claims when applying for a licence.

The governments top panel recommends regulating nutraceutical advertisements and suggests that FSSAI establish a 'dedicated cell' to monitor promotional content. Formed in February 2024, the panel aims to address regulatory gaps, prevent overstated claims, and enhance consumer safety by exploring the inclusion of nutraceuticals under CDSCO oversight.

According to the 'Report of the Inter-Ministerial Committee to Review the Regulatory Purview of Nutraceuticals' obtained by News18, the committee suggests transferring oversight of certain products from FSSAI to CDSCO. For example, FSSAI would continue regulating foods for special dietary use (FSDU) and foods for special medical purposes. The committee proposes shifting the regulation of formulations containing vitamins, minerals, and amino acids from FSSAI to CDSCO.

Led by Apurva Chandra, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, a panel of government experts examined the overlap between food and drugs, producing a 20- page report divided into seven sections.

Key points:
Vitamins, minerals, and amino acid supplements: The panel suggests regulating simple nutrient combinations under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 instead of FSSAI.

Health claims on disease prevention: Products making claims about reducing disease risk require proper approval. FSSAI should regulate nutritional claims, while CDSCO should handle claims on curing or preventing diseases.

Health claims on disease prevention: Products making claims about reducing disease risk require proper approval. FSSAI should regulate nutritional claims, while CDSCO should handle claims on curing or preventing diseases.

Foods for special dietary use and medical purposes: FSSAI will regulate these with stricter product approval measures, particularly for groups like pregnant women or individuals with diabetes.

Prebiotics and probiotics: FSSAI will oversee food with added prebiotics and probiotics, while CDSCO will regulate products with pure cultures in dosage forms.

Good Manufacturing Practices: The panel recommends setting specific GMP standards for nutraceuticals and health supplements.

Botanical and Ayurvedic products: The Ministry of Ayush should regulate products with health claims. FSSAI can handle products without such claims.

Advertising of nutraceuticals: FSSAI should monitor these advertisements through a dedicated cell.

The committee seeks to clarify the regulatory boundaries between food and drugs, assigning food safety to FSSAI and medical-related claims to CDSCO.