New Law Tightens Requirements For Food Companies Making Health Claims

Food companies in India that make health claims on product labels will have to have the claims validated once regulations implementing the new integrated Food Act take effect. The Food Act repeals several decades-old laws that were less restrictive, requiring only that claims and labels not be misleading. Under the new rules, health-related claims beyond those well-known and well-established scientifically must be justified by companies and scrutinized by state-level scientific committees. A food company executive said the regulatory changes are generally welcomed by the industry, but hoped the new process won't delay approval of new products. The new rules classify nutraceuticals, functional foods and dietary supplements as food, rather than drugs.