A recent observational study published in the peer-reviewed journal Medicine has raised concerns about the quality, labeling, and safety of popular protein powders available and consumed in India. The study, conducted by clinical researchers from Rajagiri Hospital in Kerala and a technology entrepreneur from the US, examined 36 different brands of protein powders, including those containing herbal and dietary supplements.
Key findings from the analysis include:
- Nearly 70 percent of the supplements provided inaccurate information regarding their protein content, with some brands offering only half of what they claimed.
- Approximately 14 percent of the samples contained harmful fungal aflatoxins, while 8 percent showed traces of pesticide residue.
- Many Indian-made herbal protein-based supplements were found to be of poor quality and contained liver-toxic botanicals.
Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, a hepatologist from Rajagiri Hospital and the principal investigator of the study, highlighted the lack of comprehensive analyses of widely used supplements, particularly protein-based ones, in published literature. This study underscores the need for stricter scrutiny, regulation, and safety studies within the protein-based herbal and dietary supplement industry.
The findings also emphasize the importance of consumer rights to transparency in choosing safe food and supplement options. Additionally, it calls for greater awareness among the medical community to educate the public about potentially harmful products.
Despite attempts to seek comment from G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, the chief executive of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), there has been no response at the time of publication. The report will be updated if a response is received.
In response to a question raised in the Lok Sabha in August of the previous year, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya disclosed that a significant number of civil and criminal cases were filed by the FSSAI related to non-conforming food samples, including protein powders and dietary supplements, in 2022-23.
