Ashwagandha armed with critical safety data as industry anticipates Europe-wide assessment
The ashwagandha sector has built a substantial body of clinical evidence that could prove pivotal if European regulators launch a safety review of the herb, experts agreed in a meeting held at the European Parliament this week.
Industry representatives, scientists and regulatory experts gathered in Brussels on July 14 as European regulators consider whether ashwagandha should undergo an “Article 8” review—an EFSA process which could lead to restrictions, label requirements or a ban if safety concerns are identified.
The meeting, organized by Kerry Group and hosted by Member of the European Parliament Sean Kelly, marked the formal launch of Safeguard Ashwagandha, an initiative that seeks to ensure that the extensive body of peer-reviewed safety data informs regulatory decisions.
Errant health supplements: Chinese customs highlights three classic examples
From the absence of bioactive ingredients to products made in China but claimed to be made overseas, the Chinese customs has highlighted three classic examples of health supplements sold via cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) that have violated local laws.
These examples were discovered as part of the customs’ daily risk monitoring process.
Geng Fei Fei, spokeswoman for the Monitoring Centre and National Risk Assessment Centre for Cross-Border E-Commerce Commodity Quality and Safety, a unit housed under the Chinese customs, presented classic examples of health supplements violations at the Healthplex China Expo held in Shanghai from June 15 to 17.
‘West meets East’: Indian govt seeks nutra export opportunities in upcoming expo
The Indian government, through the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, is pursuing global export opportunities for the nutraceutical sector at an upcoming expo, where NutraIngredients is a media partner.
In its second edition this year, Bharat Nutraverse Expo 2026 focuses on health and nutrition products spanning nutraceuticals, botanicals, ingredients, health supplements, probiotics, Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) and Food for Special Dietary Uses (FSDU).
It is organised by the Shellac and Forest Products Export Promotion Council (SHEFEXIL), part of the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and takes place in New Delhi on September 7-9.
Singapore’s HSA proposes mandatory health supplements notification
Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is collecting public feedback on a proposal to require mandatory notification for health supplements before they are placed on the market.
The public consultation on the proposal began on July 1 and will run until July 29.
Health supplements sold in Singapore are not subject to pre-market approval, and product notification introduced in 2022 remains voluntary.
Indonesian FDA launches initiative to help local herbal firms in NPD, export
The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority has launched an initiative that connects local businesses and researchers to tap into native botanicals for new product innovation, with the ultimate aim of developing products suitable for international export.
The pharmaceutical and food sectors, regulated by the Indonesian FDA, also known as Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan (BPOM), contributed 8.3% to Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023.
The ministry hopes to support further national GDP growth by promoting local botanical products, including health supplements, Professor Taruna Ikrar, head of BPOM, told NutraIngredients.
