Prohibited substance found in health supplement and nutraceutical products
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has banned the use of PABA (Para Amino Benzoic Acid) in the products under Nutraceutical Regulations with immediate effect with Order No. Stds/Nutr(DGCI)/FSSAI-2017 (Pt.1) dated 29-06-2018. The fresh directive was issued on July 16, 2020 via a circular.
The order explicitly directs that no further manufacturing of products using this ingredient is allowed. Any product containing this ingredient which is already manufactured and/or imported shall be withdrawn from the market with immediate effect.
However, several health supplements and nutraceutical products containing PABA have been found to being sold in the open market as well as on online e-commerce platforms.
In view of this, FSSAI has requested the Commissioner of Food Safety in every state and Union Territories to carry out strict surveillance and ensure compliance of the order banning the substance.
A letter to this effect has been sent out to all Food Commissioners and to all Food Business Operators (FBOs).