The Need for Regulatory Frameworks for Medicinal Foods in India

The Need for Regulatory Frameworks for Medicinal Foods in India

Sub :Sci

Sec: Health

Why in News

The growing health and wellness industry in India and globally has spotlighted the need for robust regulations around medicinal foods. Recently, a study conducted by researchers from The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bengaluru, and the Royal Botanic Gardens in the U.K., funded by the British High Commission, investigated the overlap between food and medicinal plant use. The study underscores the importance of establishing clear regulatory standards for medicinal foods to ensure safety, efficacy, and accessibility.

Medicinal Foods: A Missing Category in Regulatory Frameworks

Researchers are increasingly exploring plant-based compounds for therapeutic uses, as seen with turmeric’s active component, curcumin, which has shown potential in treating inflammation and certain cancers.

Traditional uses of these plants often involve much lower dosages than those administered in clinical trials, raising questions about their safety and efficacy when used in larger, therapeutic doses.

Demand for Nutraceuticals:  Nutraceuticals are food ingredients with health benefits beyond basic nutrition, offering potential medicinal benefits.

About Nutraceuticals

It is a broad umbrella term that is used to describe any product derived from food sources with extra health benefits in addition to the basic nutritional value found in foods.

They can be considered non-specific biological therapies used to promote general well-being, control symptoms and prevent malignant processes.

The term “nutraceutical” combines two words – “nutrient” (a nourishing food component) and “pharmaceutical” (a medical drug).

They can be classified on the basis of their natural sources, pharmacological conditions, as well as chemical constitution of the products. Most often they are grouped in the following categories: dietary supplements, functional food, medicinal food, pharmaceuticals.

Regulatory Gaps in Medicinal Food Safety:

Inconsistent Regulations for Food and Drugs: In many countries, including India, food and medicines are regulated by separate bodies: the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) oversees food, while the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) regulates drugs. There is currently no unified framework to handle substances that are both food and medicine, posing potential risks for consumers due to varying regulatory standards for safety and efficacy.

Need for a Dedicated Medicinal Food Category: Given the dual nature of many plants, establishing a new regulatory category for medicinal foods would provide much-needed clarity. The U.K.’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, for example, recognizes “border products” that lie between food and medicines, which could serve as a model for India.

Important Medicinal Plants:

Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia): In Ayurveda, giloy is traditionally used for its stem, but modern applications sometimes incorporate other parts like leaves and roots, potentially altering its medicinal impact.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Only the root is generally used for medicinal purposes, but comprehensive labelling of consumer products is often missing.

Bhringaraj as Medicine and Food: Known for promoting hair health, bhringaraj (Eclipta prostrata) is also consumed as a vegetable in some regions, yet IFCT 2017 does not provide nutritional information for it. This illustrates the need for clearer documentation of medicinal foods within regulatory frameworks.

Way Forward for Regulatory Bodies

India and other nations would benefit from a regulatory framework specifically for medicinal foods, ideally with a central authority overseeing both the food and medicinal uses of plants.

A standardized plant nomenclature system would prevent discrepancies across scientific, commercial, and regulatory domains.

Establishing a coherent regulatory system will protect consumers from potential risks associated with medicinal foods, bolster industry credibility, and promote the use of traditional knowledge.

As the health and wellness industry expands, an efficient regulatory framework will ensure safe and accessible plant-based health products for consumers.