The Union health ministry is seriously considering creating a well-defined regulatory infrastructure to address the intricate issues pertaining to manufacture and sales of nutraceuticals and food supplements in the country.

The policies in proposal would not only regulate the industry but also to encourage its growth both domestically and internationally, said Sushma Swaraj, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Parliament Affairs while inaugurating the First Nutraceutical Summit 2003 at Mumbai, today.

"Obviously there are intricate issues, which we need to ponder over and to address, so as to formulate clear policies. Take, for instance, the legal issues involving nutraceuticals. First, we should define nutraceuticals to differentiate it as either foods or drugs. If these are treated as food, then are they covered under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, or if taken to be drugs are they covered under the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940," she said.

She added that as it is in the case of the EU, and US where there are separate laws and directives to govern dietary food supplements, which are neither drugs nor foods, the sale of products with no claims for efficacy made on the label can be permitted for sales. In India, this issue remains a gray area. Today's seminar would go a long way in focusing the attention of Policy makers, Industry and Media for enacting the required rules of the game.

In the First Nutraceutical Summit hosted by CFTRI, Mysore and CSIR, Dr. R A Mashelkar and Dr. V Prakash, director, CFTRI also addressed the participants. The event which will conclude on October 10, is going to discuss the global scenario and experiences of nutraceuticals, their potential in India, issues of quality assurance and IPR, regulatory systems etc.

Dr Mashelkar in his keynote address said that in India, there are a number of products of natural origin, which have a long, time-tested, history of traditional use, for providing general health benefits, as also cures for specific health problems. I do not have to mention natural products like Haldi, Dhaniya, Somph, Jeera, Sonth and a number of other spices. Our system of Ayurved is known for its rich heritage in promoting the use of natural products as a special food or diet for various ailments in various age groups (Shlokas). Over the years this age-old knowledge, whether from Ayurved or from other sources, has found a niche' market and understandably this market is growing at astounding rates, he added.

Currently, nutraceuticals is a nascent Industry but a sunrise sector with a vast potential. The market exists not only in India but also all over the world. India's knowledge base in this sector is well recognized and acknowledged. We must appreciate the entrepreneur who has undertaken research to systematize the available knowledge, invested for bulk production, positioned the product to meet the felt-needs of consumers with attractive packaging and sales promotion, thereby encashing on the new wave of preventing diseases and improving health by proper diet and foods. The entrepreneur must continue to innovate and undertake R&D activities coupled with market research, so that what the consumer needs, can be provided in the best possible manner, said Dr Prakash.