Mislabeling and contamination: Almost 70% of protein products tested in India fail to meet label claims

Researchers in India conducted a self-funded analysis of 36 popular protein supplements and found that nearly 70 percent of them were mislabeled as having more protein than advertised. Other findings include the presence of fungal toxins, pesticides and heavy metals.

This transparent self-funded report on popular protein brands sold in the Indian market revealed interesting, intriguing and worrying findings: most protein supplements did not contain labeled and advertised protein content; certain brands contained more protein than labeled or advertised, raising concerns about increased protein/amino; fungal toxins and pesticide residues were identifiable even in supposedly good brands; heavy metals that negatively affect human health, such as lead and arsenic, were found in many mainstream formulations; and the presence of wide types of potentially toxic compounds, such as industrial solvents and volatile organic compounds, within a heterogeneous and non-standardized ingredient environment, the researchers wrote medicine.

Dr Cyriac Abby Phillips, the author of this paper, believes there is growing concern about hepatotoxicity and possible links to liver injury, failure and death.

Citing similar cases of mislabeling and contamination in the US, Dr Abby drew parallels between the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI), which do not require manufacturers to obtain their approval. before the sale. Instead, they regulate good manufacturing practices.