Lok Sabha Question No. 5040 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-31
Subject: Health Supplements
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Sudheer Gupta, Prataprao  Jadhav, Shrirang Appa Barne, Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5040 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 st  MARCH, 2023

## HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS

## 5040. SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Authority  of  India  has  received  several  complaints about  a  large  number  of  health  supplements  being  sold  in  the  market  not  being  compliant with  the  provisions  of  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Regulations,  2022  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government  against such sellers; (c) whether FSSAI has recently directed Food Commissioners of all States and UTs to carry out  a  special  drive  to  check  nutraceuticals  and  health  supplements  for  quality  and  safety throughout their manufacturing and sale process and if so, the details thereof; (d)  whether  FSSAI  has  also  directed  the  Food  Commissioners  to  submit  a  report  in  this regard;
- (e)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  response  of  States/UTs  Food  Commissioners  in  this regard; and
- (f) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to create awareness among the common public about the harmful effect of these spurious food supplements on human body?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY

## WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

- (a)  &  (b):  The  implementation  and  enforcement  of  Food  Safety  and  Standards  (FSS)  Act 2006, Rules and Regulations primarily lies with the State/UT Governments. The complaints /concerns of consumers are received by Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) through grievance portal on Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS), Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism (INGRAM) and Centralized Public Grievance Redress and

Monitoring  System  (CPGRAM).  Consumer  grievance/complains  (including  complaints regarding health supplements) received during 2022-23 (till 28.02.2023) is as follows:

| Period (F.Y.)     | No. of Grievances received   | No. of Grievances received   | No. of Grievances received   |
|-------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|
|                   | FoSCoS Portal                | INGRAM                       | CPGRAMS                      |
| 2022-23           | 3894                         | 5885                         | 937                          |
| (till 28.02.2023) |                              |                              |                              |

The  received  grievances/complaints  are  assigned  to  Food  Safety  Officer  (FSO) /Designated Officer (DO) of the concerned State/ UT for the resolution and necessary action. The proper disposal of grievances is monitored and reviewed with Commissioners of Food Safety, States/UTs.

(c)  to  (e):  FSSAI  vide  order  dated  07 th March  2023  has  directed  Commissioner  of  Food Safety of all states/UTs, Central Licensing Authorities and Regional Directors to carry out special enforcement drive for various Nutraceutical/ Health Supplements products sold in the market which are not in compliance with the provisions of Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements,  Nutraceuticals,  Food  for  Special  Dietary  Use,  Food  for  Special  Medical Purpose, and Prebiotics and Probiotics) Regulations, 2022 apart from in contravention with the provisions of Food Safety Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulation, 2018.

(f): FSSAI has laid down the standards of Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals through the Food Safety  and  Standards  (Health  Supplements,  Nutraceuticals,  Food  for  Special  Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Prebiotic and Probiotic  Food) Regulations, 2022.

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