Through a letter dated 16 July 2020 the FSSAI has requested Commissioners of Food Safety of all States and UTs to ramp up surveillance and enforcement so as to prohibit the sale of Health Supplement and Nutraceutical products containing PABA (Para Amino Benzoic Acid) as it is a banned ingredient.

The FSSAI had through its order dated 29 June 2018 banned the use of PABA (Para Amino Benzoic Acid) in the products covered under Nutraceutical Regulations due to safety concerns with immediate effect. In the same order FSSAI directed that further manufacturing of products using PABA is prohibited. They also asked manufacturers/ importers to immediately withdraw from the market, any product containing such ingredients.

However, it has come to notice of the FSSAI that several health supplements and nutraceutical products containing PABA are still being sold in the market as well as on e-commerce platforms. The FSSAI has requested all Commissioner of Food Safety of States/UTs to carry out surveillance and enforcement and ensure compliance of Order dated 29 June 2018. The Commissioners of Food Safety must also communicate the action taken report on surveillance and enforcement on above issue to Executive Director Compliance Strategy at the earliest.