Fake, misbranded protein supplements being sold at gyms in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) officials have planned to conduct further raids on gyms in the city after finding fake protein supplements being sold to gym goers.

The FSSAI officials have planned to raid gyms in the city.

Gym goers consume protein supplements, but the FSSAI has received many complaints about fake brands being sold at gymnasiums in the city. Two months ago, the FSSAI and Health Department officials conducted raids on gyms and found that many proteins were fake brands. The FSSAI Commissioner has warned consumers not to consume protein powders that do not have a FSSAI standard label, as they can lead to ill effects and death.

“We got information from the Health ministry and we have raided 109 gyms across the state. We had collected 27 samples of gym protein powders from Bengaluru city and from other districts and sent them to a private lab for analysis. We found 59 misbranded proteins and one unsafe protein powder from Chikkamagalur. The report says the rest are safe”, said Dr Shamla Iqbal, Commissioner of Food Safety, FSSAI.

Dr Shamla Iqbal, Commissioner of food safety, FSSAI

“The unsafe one has been banned and we have filed a case in the court. Regarding the others, we have taken action. We advise youths to consult a doctor before consuming protein supplements. Going to the gym is not an issue, but consuming an unsafe protein or nutritional product can be dangerous. The misbranded product had a label saying that it is cholesterol-free, but when we tested the sample, it had cholesterol content”, she added.