Report
In Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala health activists have raised concerns, prompting the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to investigate three seaweed-based products developed by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI). The Campaign Against Pseudo Science Using Law and Ethics (CAPSULE), a public health initiative under the Kerala Sasthra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP), filed complaints about these products. The activists argue that the products, which claim to treat diseases, were sold without conducting the necessary human trials.
Targeted Marketing and Regulatory Concerns
CAPSULE has focused its complaint on the marketing practices of private companies promoting the products. FSSAI has forwarded the complaint to these companies for investigation. The State Commissioner of Food Safety has expressed concern but acknowledged its lack of jurisdiction over products sold online. The products under scrutiny face accusations of making “misleading” claims, which allegedly violate several regulations. These include the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations of 2018, the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act of 1954, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940. These laws prohibit the promotion of products that claim to treat or prevent diseases listed in Schedule J.
Concerns About Human Trials
M.P. Anil Kumar, CAPSULE’s Kerala convenor, emphasized the need for human trials to confirm a product’s safety and effectiveness. He argued that animal trials cannot fully replicate human physiological responses. He also pointed out that the available documents for Algamin Tension-Ease Capsules do not provide evidence of any therapeutic effect for treating hypertension.
The Products in Question
The three products under scrutiny include:
Dr Kajal Chakraborty, Principal Scientist and Head of the Marine Biotechnology, Fish Nutrition, and Health Division at ICAR-CMFRI, rejected the allegations. He clarified that while animal trials for toxicology have been conducted, human trials are not required for nutraceutical products. Dr Chakraborty emphasized that seaweed products, derived from natural sources, aim to alleviate specific conditions, not cure diseases.
He also pointed out that both ICAR-CMFRI and the marketing companies have obtained the necessary FSSAI licenses and followed all regulatory guidelines for selling the products online and over the counter.
Source: The New Indian Express