The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified another laboratory for testing ‘Food for Sportsperson’ products for prohibited substances declared by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The newly notified lab is the Analytical Testing Laboratory at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Balanagar, Hyderabad, Medchal Malkajgiri, Telangana. This notification was issued on November 11, 2024.
It may be recalled that FSSAI had recently notified the Centre of Excellence for Research and Analysis of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (CERANS) as a laboratory for testing ‘Food for Sportsperson’ products for prohibited substances. It has now also notified a second laboratory for this purpose, i.e. the Analytical Testing Laboratory at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad.
As per the FSS (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food, and Novel Food) Regulations, 2016, prohibited substances declared by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) shall not be added in any of the articles of food specified for sport persons. Food business operator are required to check the list of prohibited substances which is published annually by the World Anti-Doping Agency. This list is effective from the January 1 every year.
Particulars of Accreditation
The scope of accreditation of the laboratory is ‘Chemical’. The current scope of accreditation of this laboratory by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) covers testing of prohibited substances declared by WADA under the discipline Chemical-Nutritional Supplement’.
FSSAII has instructed enforcement authorities to utilize the newly notified laboratory for testing of Food for Sportsperson’ with FSSAI license for prohibited substances declared by WADA as and when required.