When Growth Turns Anaemic: Time for Action Begins

With regulations in place, food industry and nutraceutical sector should innovate supplements to tackle nutrition and micronutrient deficiency-led health problems

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The first part of the title of this column is actually the title of an editorial that appeared in ‘Economic Times’ recently. Anaemia has become a term that even economists are conscious of and use it in mapping economic growth of the country. This demonstrates the seriousness of the disease leading to weakness, fatigue, difficulty to breath, loss of appetite, morbidity. All these leads to absenteeism from work, loss of productivity earning setting in motion vicious circle that needs no explanation to the readers of NuFFooDS.

The food industry and the nutraceutical sector had been exerting pressure on the Foods Authority and the Government of India to bring out regulations for the nutra sector for many years. Their efforts bore fruit by the directive that operationalised functional foods, supplements and nutraceuticals etc. regulation w.e.f from November 24, 2016. The sector should have no reason to continue to complain for lack of regulations and the time for their action should begin urgently and earnestly.

The nutra regulations provide a complete framework for providing supplements or nutraceuticals through a food format to tackle a number of nutrition and micronutrient deficiency-led health problems. Scientifically and logically developed innovations should see the light now to assist consumers move from medicine-led to food-led interventions to prevent and protect various health issues. Illness centric to wellness centric offerings can therefore happen now, driven by the regulatory requirements clarity being available.