UP Health Supplement Rules 2026: Health supplements, protein powders and herbal wellness products may find themselves being marketed in a more open and transparent way thanks to increased regulations being enforced by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) in Uttar Pradesh.
To discourage misleading health claims, the FSDA in Uttar Pradesh have issued new guidelines which require strict adherence to food safety guidelines.
Products included within the order must have ‘Not for Medical Use’ displayed clearly. Businesses will be restricted from using disease related terms such as ‘Diabetes Care’, ‘Kidney Care’, ‘Arthritis Care’.
What Are The New UP Health Supplement Guidelines 2026?
The new guidelines issued by Commissioner Dr.Roshan Jacob of the FSDA seek to ensure that food supplements are not being marketed as medicines.
The following categories are included:
- Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals
- Protein Powders
- Vitamins and Minerals
- Herbal and Botanical Products
- Foods for Special Dietary Use (FSDU)
- Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP)
- Probiotics and Prebiotics
These guidelines will include businesses in Uttar Pradesh as well as those based in other states/Union Territories that are marketed within Uttar Pradesh.
‘Not for Medical Use’ Warning
The biggest change included in the guidelines is the requirement that ‘Not for Medical Use’ is clearly stated in bold text.
Manufacturers will also be required to state what category of product they are marketing clearly. This includes:
- Health Supplements
- Nutraceuticals
- Probiotic Foods
- Foods for Special Dietary Use
This ensures that consumers are not confused between nutritional products and medicines.
The FSDA have specifically targeted any products making misleading health claims or using disease related terms.
These include:
- Diabetes Care
- Arthritis Care
- Kidney Care
- Liver Detox
- Cardio Care
- Thyroid Care
- Blood Sugar Control
- Disease Management
These claims will be restricted when used to imply that the food supplement can help treat, prevent or manage these diseases.
Excessive Nutrients and Ingredients
Another key area being targeted is the use of excessive amounts of nutrients and ingredients.
Manufacturers must adhere to the guidelines that specify how much of an ingredient can be used and how much of the RDA they must include.
Basic health supplements now must include:
- Individual Nutrients: 100% of RDA or less.
- General Nutrient Claims: 15% of RDA or more.
- High/Rich Nutrient Claims: 30% of RDA or more.
Manufacturers must also clearly state what active nutrients have been used and how much of the RDA it contributes to.
Steroids, Hormones and Banned Substances are Not Allowed
The FSDA are increasing their scrutiny of ingredients used in health supplements and special dietary products.
The following ingredients are banned from being used within these categories:
- Drugs
- Hormones
- Steroids
- Narcotic Substances
- Psychotropic Substances
- Products designed specifically for use by sportspersons must also adhere to restrictions on ingredients listed on the WADA banned list.
This is important for the sports nutrition industry as protein powders, muscle building products and performance products are widely marketed.
New Guidelines for Herbal/Ayurvedic Supplements
The guidelines issued are also important for the herbal wellness and nutraceutical industry in India.
Any products containing herbal ingredients must adhere to the guidelines in schedule IV of the relevant FSSAI regulation including:
- Plant lists
- Daily intake limits
- Standardisation and active ingredients where applicable
- Safety of ingredients
- Warnings
Manufacturers will not be able to just use any medicinal plants or herbs in their products.
On the 15th October 2026, FSSAI issued an advisory to manufacturers to ensure that plant and botanical ingredients are labelled correctly. This includes stating what part of the plant has been used and what warnings are relevant.
E-Commerce Sites Also Targeted
This will not just affect shop based businesses. Online sites have also been targeted and asked to take the necessary actions to ensure that products that do not adhere to the guidelines are removed.
This ensures that companies can’t just hide behind their online presence. Brand owners, contract manufacturers, relabellers, repackers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers will all be included.
Manufacturers will need to ensure they have the correct documentation:
- Batch Manufacturing Records (BMR)
- Batch Packaging Records (BPR)
- Certificates of Analysis (COA) for raw materials and finished products
- Quality and Purity Reports
- Stability and Shelf Life
- Information on what ingredients are allowed
Repackers and Relabellers will also need to ensure that the final packaging includes correct information about the product and who manufactured it.
Are Health Supplements Being Banned in Uttar Pradesh?
No. The latest guidelines are not a complete ban on protein powders, multivitamins, herbal supplements or nutraceuticals.
Instead they are increasing the requirements that manufacturers must abide by.
As long as products adhere to the guidelines, they can still be marketed. This includes ingredients, dosage, labelling, manufacturing and marketing claims.
