There is a growing need for strong regulation for medicinal foods in India and the global health and wellness industry. Recently, in a study funded by the British High Commission, researchers from the University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bengaluru and the Royal Botanic Gardens in the UK examined the overlap between the use of edible and medicinal plants. The study underlines the need for clear regulatory standards to ensure the safety, efficacy and accessibility of medicinal foods.
Medicinal foods: A missing category in the regulatory framework
- Researchers are exploring plant-based compounds for therapeutic use, such as curcumin, the active component of turmeric, which has shown promise in treating inflammation and certain types of cancer.
- Doses involved in traditional use are often much lower than those given in clinical trials, raising questions about their safety and efficacy when used in large therapeutic doses.
Demand for Nutraceuticals
- Nutraceuticals are food ingredients that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition, and also potentially medicinal benefits.
Nutraceuticals
- Definition: Nutraceutical is a broad term describing any product derived from food sources that has health benefits in addition to the basic nutritional value found in foods.
- Purpose: These can be considered non-specific biological treatments to promote general health, control symptoms, and prevent malignant processes.
- Origin of the term: The word “nutraceutical” is derived from the combination of “nutrient” (a nutritious food component) and “pharmaceutical” (a medical drug).
- Classification: These can be classified based on their natural sources, medicinal conditions, and the chemical composition of the products. Common classifications include dietary supplements, functional food, medicinal food, and pharmaceuticals.
Regulatory gaps in medicinal food safety
- In many countries, including India, food and drugs are regulated by separate bodies.
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) oversees food, while the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) regulates drugs.
- This division results in a lack of an integrated framework, which poses potential risks to consumers due to different regulatory standards for safety and efficacy of food and drugs.
Need for a dedicated category for medicinal foods
- Given the dual nature of many plants, establishing a new regulatory category for medicinal foods would provide clarity.
- For example, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recognises “borderline products” that fall between foods and drugs.
- This model may also be suitable for India, allowing clear regulatory guidelines to be established.
Important Medicinal Plants
- Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia): Traditional use of giloy in Ayurveda is for its stem. However, modern applications also use its leaves and roots, which may alter its medicinal effects.
- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): It is usually used only in the root form for medicinal purposes, but labeling of consumer products often lacks information.
- Bhringaraj (Eclipta prostrata): It is known to promote hair health and is also eaten as a vegetable in some regions. Yet, the Indian Food Safety and Standards Act (IFCT) 2017 does not provide nutritional information for it, indicating the need for clear documentation of medicinal foods.
Way Forward for Regulatory Bodies
- India and other nations would benefit from a regulatory framework specifically for medicinal foods. Ideally, a central authority would oversee both the edible and medicinal uses of plants.
- Standardized plant nomenclature system: This will prevent inconsistencies across scientific, commercial, and regulatory spheres, ensuring accurate information is available to users.
- Harmonized regulatory system: This will protect consumers from potential risks associated with medicinal foods, enhance industry credibility, and promote the use of traditional knowledge.