Two new guides have been published in India to help the country’s health supplement industry adapt to recently implemented regulatory requirements.

The documents have been produced by ReCHaN—the Resource Centre for Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals—which was established in July 2017 through a partnership between the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA). The guides can be downloaded at www.rechan.in.

Their publication is significant because they are seen as a key stepping stone towards ensuring consistency of practice across India’s supplement industry and will assist in the application of relevant legislation governing the sector.

The Health Supplements and Nutritionals Compliance Guidance Document addresses new regulations introduced at the beginning of 2018 to regulate the industry. It covers product definitions, labelling requirements, ingredients and rules on licensing and importation. It also considers the international regulatory perspective and situations where an issue of interpretation may arise. The document will help move India’s supplement businesses towards global alignment and will be updated as and when new information arises.

The Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals Guidance Document on Good Manufacturing Practices explains procedures for ensuring high standards of safety, hygiene, quality and traceability, among others. Produced in partnership with the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), it provides foundation level requirements for the manufacture of health supplements within India’s food safety system. These requirements are based on the core elements of Indian standards, as well as international best practices, and have been developed to be achievable by all companies, large and small.

Their publication follows the signing earlier this year of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between FSSAI, CII, and IADSA. The three bodies have agreed to work together in order to give ReCHaN the support it needs to strengthen India’s health supplements sector.

Simon Pettman executive director of IADSA, said, “The health supplement and nutraceutical sector is set to grow significantly in India. IADSA is delighted to cooperate so closely with FSSAI and CII to share our global expertise to help build a sound framework for the development of regulation, science and policy.”