FSSAI has pointed out that it has received reports that nutraceutical/ health supplement products that have gelatine shells or contain ingredients of animal origin are depicting the green dot on their packaging, therefore, declaring the same as vegetarian. The FSSAI states that this is in contravention of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations 2011which mandates the applicability of vegetarian and non-vegetarian logo on the labels of pre-packed foods products, and the same shall be considered as misbranding or labeling defect.
The FSSAI further states that all food products that fall under the category of Nutraceuticals/ Health Supplements shall have to comply with the Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceutical, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations 2016 as well as the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations 2011 failing which will attract the penal provisions under the FSS Act, 2006.
The FSSAI has asked all Commissioners of Food Safety of all states and UTs and FSSAI Food Officers to initiate a strong enforcement drive to keep a check on the sale of such products in their areas of jurisdiction which are in contravention of the packaging regulations mentioned above. The FSSAI has also instructed the officials to initiate appropriate action against the defaulting Food Business Operators as per the provisions laid down in the FSS Act 2006, Rules and Regulations 2011 made thereunder.
