Joint teams of Food Safety and Drug Administration inspected 63 units in 13 districts and collected 43 samples
Joint teams of mobile food squads and drug inspectors carried out extensive inspections during the campaign
Action taken against misleading health claims, wrong labelling, licence irregularities and poor quality
Licence suspension and cancellation recommended in serious cases
Campaign conducted in Agra, Barabanki, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Ghaziabad, Jhansi, Prayagraj, Moradabad, Lucknow, Bareilly, Hathras, Mathura, Gorakhpur and Varanasi
Lucknow, September 2026 : The food safety and drug administration, Uttar Pradesh, has begun cracking down on activities that mislead consumers through deceptive health claims in the name of health supplements and nutraceuticals across the state. The department ran a statewide joint inspection campaign against manufacturers, relabellers, repackers and wholesalers of health supplements, nutraceuticals and dietary food supplements.
In the campaign, joint teams of mobile food squads and drug inspectors inspected various establishments and units in Agra, Barabanki, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Ghaziabad, Jhansi, Prayagraj, Moradabad, Lucknow, Bareilly, Hathras, Mathura, Gorakhpur and Varanasi. During this, about 63 units were inspected, 43 samples were collected, and health supplements and nutraceuticals worth about Rs 1 crore, found to be suspicious, carrying misleading claims or contrary to the rules, were seized.
Nutraceuticals are foods or food-based products that contain vitamins, minerals, protein, omega-3, probiotics or other nutrients, and are intended to provide the body with essential nutrition while supporting health. They are generally regarded not as medicines but as nutrition and health-promoting products.
Thorough inspection from raw materials to labelling
The action was not limited to checking finished products. The joint teams also examined the quality and source of raw materials, purchase records, available stock, manufacturing and storage conditions, labelling, health claims, medicinal or misleading claims, hygiene and sanitary conditions, and the validity of licences. During the inspections, many establishments were found to have sanitation issues such as hygiene and sanitation lapses, misbranding, misleading health claims, improper labelling, licence-related irregularities and storage of expired food items. Of the roughly 63 establishments inspected during the campaign, 18 were found operational, while 45 were found non-operational or closed. The department has initiated action as per rules according to the nature of each case.
Goods worth about Rs 39.50 lakh seized in Lucknow
In the state capital, Lucknow, JVS Foods Private Limited was specially inspected. Five samples were taken from here and food items worth about Rs 39.50 lakh were seized. According to the department, the establishment was found to have misbranding and misleading claims, and its hygiene and sanitary condition was also found to be extremely poor.
Similarly, at Center Furera Health Care Private Limited in Lucknow, three nutraceuticals were found stored along with allopathic medicines worth about Rs 10 lakh. During the inspection, the establishment stated that it only carried out marketing activity. The team also investigated relabelling, marketing and packing-related activities here.
Goods worth Rs 27 lakh seized in Gorakhpur
At Buddha Medico Private Limited in Gorakhpur, three samples were taken after labelling-related activities were found. Goods worth about Rs 27 lakh were also seized. The department examined the labelling activities and the regulatory status of the products.
In Jhansi, samples of 13 food supplements were taken from Vedic Agrotech Private Limited. During the inspection, 161 sacks of expired food items were found and were destroyed. Other available food items were also seized.
Action on product storage conditions in Noida
At Biorihealth Care Private Limited in Gautam Buddha Nagar, the storage condition of finished products was found unsatisfactory. The team took three samples here and seized goods worth about Rs 6 lakh.
In Ghaziabad, three samples related to misbranded products and misleading claims were taken, and goods worth about Rs 27 lakh were seized. In addition, samples of health supplements and nutraceuticals were taken from various establishments.
Claims such as 'Powerful Result' and 'Quick Recovery' also investigated
At ASH International Private Limited in Agra, no product manufacturing activity was found, but claims such as 'Powerful Result' and 'Quick Recovery' were found printed on the product labels. Considering these claims misleading, the department has proposed legal action before the competent court in the matter.
Meanwhile, at Sudhvin Healthcare in Varanasi, closure of the establishment has been recommended after various irregularities were found.
Preparation for licence action in serious cases
The department stated that where shortcomings found during the campaign were correctable, improvement notices were issued. In cases with serious irregularities, suspension or cancellation of licences has been recommended. Necessary action as per rules was also taken at establishments where no manufacturing activity was found or which were found closed.
The Food Safety and Drug Administration said that protecting consumer interests in the field of health supplements and nutraceuticals is its highest priority. The department is specially monitoring products and establishments where food or supplement products are being presented in the market with misleading claims of medicinal effect, quick cure, disease prevention or other health benefits.
Action against those misleading consumers will continue
The department has made it clear that action will continue against establishments that violate rules, make false or misleading health claims, and mislead consumers in the name of health supplements and nutraceuticals.
The aim of this joint action by the Food Safety and Drug Administration is not only to remove irregular products from the market, but also to ensure product quality, correct labelling, transparent health claims, safe storage and a proper licensing system. The department has said that enforcement action will be continued consistently to protect consumers' interests, strengthening monitoring of the entire supply chain of health supplements and nutraceuticals in the state.
Monitoring and standards in the nutraceutical sector will be tightened further: Roshan Jacob, Commissioner, UPFSDA
Food Safety and Drug Administration Commissioner Roshan Jacob said that regulatory monitoring of the nutraceutical industry needs to be strengthened further. Because this sector falls between food and medicine, there is a possibility of licence misuse and use of prohibited substances, so the department is preparing a detailed compliance framework. She said that in some cases there are concerns that products sold as health supplements may contain prohibited substances such as untested steroids and hormones. To prevent this, special emphasis will be placed on testing the raw materials used in products, and on compliance with prescribed quantities and safety standards."
She further said the inspection and compliance system for nutraceutical units will be standardised, so that consumers can remain safe and transparent products.
