Majority of the protein powders leading the market in India fall short in terms of quality, accuracy in labeling, or fulfillment of advertised claims, as revealed by a first-of-its-kind observational analysis.
Last week, a peer-reviewed journal, Medicine, published the results of an analysis conducted on 36 various brands of protein powders. These brands included products containing herbal and dietary supplements like vitamins, minerals, and other natural or synthetic ingredients.
Protein supplements serve as concentrated sources of high-quality protein derived from various food sources. They are commonly utilized in bodybuilding and as dietary supplements to meet protein requirements, offering a lean and pure source of essential amino acids, which are the fundamental building blocks of proteins.
The study revealed that almost 70 percent of the 36 supplements examined provided inaccurate protein content information, with certain brands delivering only half of the claimed amount. Additionally, approximately 14 percent of the samples contained harmful fungal aflatoxins, while 8 percent showed detectable levels of pesticide residue.
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Additionally, the authors — clinical researchers linked with Rajagiri Hospital in Kerala and a technology entrepreneur from the US — highlighted that “the majority of Indian-made herbal protein-based supplements are of substandard quality and contain botanicals that are harmful to the liver.”
“The findings highlight the need for rigorous scrutiny, regulation, & fundamental safety assessments before allowing the sale of protein-based herbal & dietary supplements,” said the authors.
Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, a hepatologist at Rajagiri Hospital in Aluva, Kerala, and the lead investigator of the self-funded study, emphasized that despite existing published data from numerous research groups and clinical units worldwide concerning organ damage, particularly liver injury caused by herbal and dietary supplements, there has been a lack of proactive and prospective analysis of widely used supplements — especially protein-based ones — in the published literature.
“There are sporadic published reports examining the quality of whey protein and amino acid analysis in protein supplements, aiming to detect amino acid spiking or ‘doping’ to artificially inflate protein content,” he stated.
Philips further noted that a study examined the adherence of marketed protein supplements to quality regulations, primarily focusing on products sold in the US. However, there have been no comparable studies conducted in the Asia Pacific region.
“Our research highlights the lapses in regulatory efforts, highlights the importance of consumer rights in accessing transparent information to make well-informed decisions about safe food as well as supplement options, and reveals the general indifference of the medical community towards educating the public about the potential benefits versus risks of food as well as dietary supplements,” he stated.
Efforts to reach G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, Chief Executive of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), for comments on the findings outlined in the paper were made via phone calls. Nevertheless, no response had been received as of the time of publication.
Responding to an inquiry in the Lok Sabha in August last year, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed the Lower House that during the fiscal year 2022-23, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) lodged a total of 38,053 civil cases and 4,817 criminal cases pertaining to non-conforming food samples, which included protein powders and dietary supplements.
The 36 analyzed protein powders comprised blended formulations, pure plant-based options, and pure whey-based formulations (derived from whey, the liquid portion of milk that separates during cheese production).
The blends encompassed various combinations of proteins or those supplemented with herbal extracts.
Among the 14 blended formulations, seven incorporated herbal extracts, while the remaining consisted of diverse protein sources, including pea, soy, egg, milk (whole, whey, or casein), and peanuts.
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Four products were exclusively plant-based, while 18 powders were either pure whey-based or blends of whey (comprising concentrate, hydrolysate, and isolate).
Twenty products originated from India, while the remainder were produced by multinational corporations.
Among the 36 products, nine exhibited a detected protein content of less than 40 percent, while the remaining had levels surpassing 60 percent. In total, 25 protein supplements (69.4 percent) were mislabeled regarding their protein content. This discrepancy ranged from less than 10 percent to over 50 percent deficit compared to the advertised product content per 100g.
Two products from a single manufacturer exhibited protein contents that were 62 percent and 50.4 percent lower than advertised. Additionally, a commonly recommended protein supplement from a reputable company also misrepresented its protein content, showing an approximate deficit of 30 percent compared to what was advertised.
Furthermore, as per the authors’ observations, specific protein brands were identified to contain higher protein content than what was indicated on their labels during the quantification analysis.
The researchers pointed out that elevated protein content could indicate the use of high-quality protein sources in manufacturing. However, it could also be indicative of “protein or amino spiking,” wherein supplement manufacturers deliberately incorporate less expensive protein components like readily available amino acids glycine and taurine to falsely portray higher protein content.
In the analysis of fungal toxins, it was discovered that five out of 36 samples (13.9 percent) were tainted with aflatoxins, toxins produced by specific fungi. In several instances, the aflatoxin levels exceeded 10 μg/kg. Regarding pesticide residue analysis, three samples (8.3 percent) were found to contain trace amounts of contamination.
Philips conveyed via social media that, according to these findings, the protein powder from BigMuscles was deemed the “poorest brand,” while Amway’s offering was identified as the “least favorable among plant-based options.” Furthermore, Philips categorized Protinex, Ensure, and B-Protin as the “most disappointing brands advertised as superior.”
He additionally cautioned that brands requiring extreme vigilance include Elements and Nutrilite by Amway, due to their contamination with fungal toxins.
Efforts were made to contact the manufacturers of these powders (Big Muscles Nutrition, Amway, Nestle, Abbott, Danone India, and British Biologicals) via email to obtain their comments on the findings. However, no responses were received from any of them by the time of publication.
According to the findings, Philips identified One Science Nutrition as the “top-rated” whey brand in the Indian market, while Nutrabox’s protein supplement was deemed the “most favorable medium-range” whey option. The analysis also concluded that the protein powder from Origin stood out as the “premier choice” among vegan protein options.
The study underscores that, akin to the United States Food and Drug Administration, the FSSAI does not grant approval for herbal and dietary supplements but instead oversees adherence to good manufacturing practices.
According to the study’s authors, manufacturers are responsible for ensuring the safety of the ingredients in protein-based herbal and dietary supplements. However, the scrutiny of content and labeling is conducted by the FSSAI based on test results submitted by the manufacturer. These results are not disclosed to the public and remain non-transparent.
“Our study has significant impacts,” said Philips. First and foremost, when it comes to food and dietary supplements, regulatory agencies need to put an emphasis on accountability and openness. These products are not rigorously tested for safety or efficacy, unlike pharmaceuticals and medications.”
The sole criterion that deems such products “market-ready” is adherence to good manufacturing practices, elucidated the hepatologist and medical researcher. Furthermore, the manufacturers cannot be relied upon, as they often prioritize profit and promotional endeavors over ensuring realistic quality standards.
For instance, he pointed out that the recent analysis revealed discrepancies between the labeled protein content and the actual content identified in numerous brands, with indications of “protein spiking or amino acid doping” present in some of the brands examined.
“In the absence of regulatory oversight in such scenarios, it essentially becomes a ‘survival of the fittest’ situation for buyers when choosing a food supplement,” he said. “This absence of regulation is both unfair & hazardous.”
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Dr. Sabine Kapasi, an adviser on public health and healthcare services strategy with the United Nations Covid-19 task force, who is not directly affiliated with the study, also concurred that it highlights the pressing necessity for enhanced regulations and quality control in the manufacturing and labeling of protein supplements.
“It emphasizes the significance of providing transparent and precise product information, empowering consumers to make informed choices regarding their health,” she remarked.
Kapase further noted that the Supreme Court’s issuance of a contempt notice to the ayurvedic conglomerate Patanjali for persistently disseminating misleading advertisements underscores the imperative for rigorous accountability within the health supplement sector.
“These findings highlight growing concerns about false information, a lack of openness, and possible health risks related to these goods. It is imperative that we as customers continue to be aware of these issues and use caution when choosing protein supplements, she said.
Kapase emphasized that although protein supplements can provide benefits when used appropriately, the findings of the study underscore the pressing necessity for heightened scrutiny and regulation within the industry.