The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has emphasized the importance of compliance with anti-doping measures for ‘Food for Sportsperson’ under its Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food, and Novel Food) Regulations, 2016. As per Regulation 8, food products for sportspersons must not contain any substances prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Food Business Operators (FBOs) are required to ensure their products are free from such substances by referring to the updated WADA list, published annually and effective from January 1 each year.
To support enforcement efforts, FSSAI has notified the Analytical Testing Laboratory at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad. This facility, registered under FSSAI (Reg. No. 91/S/FSSAI/2024), is accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) for testing 64 WADA-prohibited substances under the ‘Chemical-Nutritional Supplement’ category.
The notified laboratory is equipped to test for prohibited substances in ‘Food for Sportsperson’ as per the scope of its accreditation. Enforcement authorities can utilize this facility to verify compliance with FSSAI regulations. The accreditation and scope of the laboratory, along with any updates, can be accessed through the NABL website.
The Bottom Line
FSSAI’s regulations and the availability of accredited testing facilities underscore its commitment to ensuring the safety and integrity of sports nutrition products. These measures align with global anti-doping standards, promoting fair play and safeguarding sportspersons from inadvertent exposure to prohibited substances.
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