FSSAI Urged to Crack Down on Mislabelled Functional Food Products

The Jammu and Kashmir Pharmacy Graduates’ Association (JKPGA) has urged the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to take action against the alleged misuse of food categories for marketing therapeutic formulations. In its representation, the association claimed that certain manufacturers are using classifications such as Food for Special Medical Purpose (FSMP) and Food for Medicinal Use (FMU) to market high-potency products with pharmaceutical-like claims while bypassing stricter drug regulations. The petition raised concerns over formulations containing high-dose Vitamin D3, Vitamin B1, and heme iron, stating that some products exceed recommended nutritional intake levels and may mislead consumers. JKPGA has called on FSSAI to undertake a comprehensive review of products licensed under the FSMP category, strengthen regulatory oversight, and issue updated guidance to ensure that therapeutic products are marketed under the appropriate regulatory framework while safeguarding consumer interests and preserving the integrity of India’s food safety system.