The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has raised concerns over food businesses failing to comply with mandatory labelling requirements for nutraceuticals and health supplements. The regulator has warned of action against companies that do not follow the prescribed norms. FSSAI issued an advisory highlighting the mandatory labelling requirements and warning statements for plant and botanical ingredients and their extracts. The advisory aims to strengthen regulatory compliance and ensure that consumers receive clear information about these products.
FSSAI Highlights Non-Compliance with Labelling Rules
According to FSSAI, several Food Business Operators (FBOs) involved in manufacturing and selling nutraceuticals, health supplements, foods for special dietary use and foods for special medical purposes are failing to display the required labels and warning statements. Consequently, the regulator has emphasised the need for companies to comply with the prescribed requirements to protect consumers and prevent the misuse of these products.
Regulations Govern Nutraceuticals and Health Supplements
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. The regulations cover 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. Furthermore, the rules specify standards for the permissible limits of plant and botanical ingredients and their extracts, whether used individually or in combination with other ingredients.
Mandatory Warnings and Restrictions on Medicinal Claims
FSSAI has stressed that manufacturers must follow stringent labelling requirements and clearly communicate the relevant warnings to consumers. Under the regulations, warning statements must be prominent, legible and easy to understand. These requirements are particularly important for protecting vulnerable consumers and preventing the inappropriate use of nutraceuticals and health supplements. The rules also prohibit medicinal claims or suggestions that these products can cure diseases. Therefore, manufacturers must ensure that their product labels comply with the applicable food safety standards and do not mislead consumers about their intended benefits.
Regulatory Compliance Remains Essential
The advisory reinforces FSSAI’s focus on enforcing labelling standards across India’s nutraceutical and health supplement industry. Food businesses must review their product labels, verify compliance with the applicable regulations and display all required warnings. As reported by statetimes.in, failure to meet these requirements could invite regulatory action, making compliance essential for manufacturers and sellers operating in these specialised food categories.