Lok Sabha Question No. 239 (STARRED), answered on 2023-08-04
Subject: Sale of Unsafe Protein Powders and Dietary Supplements
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, DNV Senthilkumar. S.

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOKSABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 239 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 4 TH AUGUST, 2023

## SALE OF UNSAFE PROTEIN POWDERS AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

## *239. DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE: DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.:

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

- (a) whether many of the protein powders and dietary supplements sold in the market are substandard and unsafe for consumption and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has registered any criminal and civil cases against such persons/companies and the number of offenders punished along with the quantum of penalty imposed during each of the last three years and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the reasons for the failure of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to check the supply of protein powder and dietary supplements which are unsafe for consumption;
- (d) whether FSSAI has directed the Food Commissioners of all States/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 including the response of States/UTs Food Commissioners in this regard; and
- (e) 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 HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (DR MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 239 FOR 4 TH AUGUST, 2023

(a) to (c): The implementation and enforcement of provisions under Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006 and Rules and Regulations, primarily lies with the State/UT Governments. To ensure compliance with these provisions, State/UT Governments take up surveillance, monitoring and inspection activities.

Samples of food items (including protein powder and dietary supplements) are drawn by State Food Safety Officers and sent to the laboratories recognised by FSSAI for analysis. In cases where samples are found to be non-conforming to the provisions of the Act and the Rules and Regulations made, recourse is taken to penal provisions under the FSS Act.

Based on information made available by the States/UTs, details of action taken on non-confirming food samples (including protein powders & dietary supplements) during last three years are as below:-

| S. No.   |         | No. of Cases Launched   | No. of Cases Launched   |
|----------|---------|-------------------------|-------------------------|
|          | Year    | Civil Cases             | Criminal Cases          |
| 1.       | 2020-21 | 24,195                  | 3,869                   |
| 2.       | 2021-22 | 28,906                  | 4,946                   |
| 3.       | 2022-23 | 38,053                  | 4,817                   |

- (d) 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 the Act and the Rules and Regulations.

During the said enforcement drive, 1326 samples were lifted across the country and 1229 were sent to laboratories for testing. As per the reports received, 202 samples have been found non-compliant to respective food product standards and action has been taken as per the penal provisions under FSS Act.

- (e) FSSAI has taken following steps to create awareness among consumers about safety from all sorts of adulterated and spurious food items including dietary supplements :-
- i. FSSAI has introduced mobile food testing vans called Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) not only to take testing facilities to the remotest corners of the country but also serve as vehicles for creating awareness regarding food safety and hygiene practices.
- ii. FSSAI has created a Detect Adulteration with Rapid Test (DART) booklet, which is a compilation of common quick tests for detection of food adulterants at home by citizens themselves.
- iii. FSSAI carries out awareness drives through Exhibitions/Melas and other Outreach activities at various events.
- iv. FSSAI's lesson plan booklet - Food Safety Guidebook for Teachers - provides detailed information of how to conduct different test on food adulteration and are mapped across the curriculum of the particular grade.
- v. FSSAI creates awareness among consumers on how to read food labels correctly. This along with dedicated playlist on 'How to check for adulteration' is available in the form of videos on FSSAI's social media channels.

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