Weight loss food also to be checked

Hyderabad: Food given to patients in slimming and weight loss centres will be checked and certified by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India as it wants to regulate these health foods and check their impact on patients. According to draft regulations by FSSAI, foods will have to be labeled and verified for their health efficacy on those who are prescribed these products.

A senior food inspector in the city said, “These foods are now being brought under the ambit of the food department as it is important to standardize and regulate the industry. There are too many combinations of weight loss foods which are being prescribed in the market. But what is the efficacy of these products? These tests have to be conducted from time to time and for that reason an exercise in regulation is being carried out.”

The draft proposals have been sent to all the units and a proper scientific method will be followed in classifying the foods so that people are aware of what they are consuming. At present, grievances are directly being registered with food inspectors in the municipal limits or with drug inspectors. But this exercise will also work towards creating a redressal system to tackle these issues.