New Delhi, 31th August 2019: With an identified increase in the average life expectancy of populations across the globe over the past decade, the healthy life expectancy did not increase. As per the WHO report on nutrition, more than 40% of the nutrition-related diseases takes place before the age of 70. In order to maintain overall health and wellness, balanced diet and diet diversity plays an important role.

In the given scenario, Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals has emerged as a food category which can play a critical role in encouraging a healthy life. This category of food is well regulated under the FSSAI and reflects an understanding of the applicable statutory and regulatory requirements of this sector.

Since these products are generally sold without any medical prescription/advice, often customers will seek information on the product they intend to purchase, and conversations, enquiries or nutrient information will happen at the point of sale. Customers are entitled to receiving the right information and retailers who offer these products are expected to have this information and deliver it in a proper manner as the products under this category of Food are not intended to cure or prevent any disease, but only to maintain good health. Hence, it becomes important to create awareness at the point of sale and distribution and among pharmacists & retailers who are directly or indirectly involved in sale and distribution of such products and educate them on this category so that they can help position the product right with consumers/customers.

With the objective to create sensitization among stakeholders and further strengthen its initiatives, ReCHaN (Resource Centre on Health Supplement and Nutraceuticals) along with FSSAI conducted the first series of Capacity Building Workshop in this sector for Pharmacists and Retailers on “Awareness for Health Supplements & Nutraceuticals” at FSSAI, New Delhi.

Inaugurating the awareness workshop on Health Supplements & Nutraceuticals for Pharmacists and retailers, Ms Rita Teaotia, Chairperson, FSSAI stated that such kind of training would benefit consumers directly by having first-hand information on such products from respective point of purchase. This would enable them to make informed choices. She also appreciated the work undertaken by ReCHaN on development of first-of-its-kind Training Module for Pharmacists and Retailers in this sector.

Mr Pawan Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer, mentioned that the training program will provide a new dimension to the sector by involving and creating awareness among the key players involved in the sale and distribution of such products. This is a unique initiative by FSSAI – ReCHaN and is step towards enabling a cohesive and conducive environment for consumers and strengthening the overall ecosystem for Health supplements and Nutraceuticals sector in the country.

The session was attended by the pharmacists, retailers, distributors and other stakeholders who are involved in sale and distribution of Health Supplements & Nutraceuticals.