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60 Nutraceutical Ads Found to Violate India's Advertising Rules

India's ASCI report flags 60 ads for unsupported health claims in nutraceuticals.

New York Editorial News Desk October 29, 2026 1 min read

The Brief

  • ASCI reviewed 61 ads, finding 60 violated advertising code due to lack of scientific evidence.
  • FSSAI issued advisory in October 2026 on labelling and warnings for botanical ingredients.
  • Regulations prohibit nutraceuticals from being marketed as treatments for diseases.

A new report by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) found 60 nutraceutical advertisements to be in violation of its advertising code due to unsupported health claims. The report, released on October 28, 2026, examined 61 ads between July and September 2026, with 60 investigated and all found to lack sufficient scientific substantiation.

The findings come as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued an advisory on October 15, 2026, directing manufacturers to comply with mandatory labelling requirements and warnings for plant-based and botanical ingredients in nutraceuticals and other specialized food products.

Nutraceuticals are regulated as food products, not medicines. While they may support nutritional needs or provide physiological benefits, they cannot be marketed as treatments or cures for diseases. The report highlighted claims such as weight loss, skin rejuvenation, and reversal of asthma or polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) as problematic.

Of the 60 ads found to violate the ASCI code, 29 advertisers did not contest the findings, while the remaining 31 failed to provide adequate evidence to support their claims. The report also flagged ads suggesting supplements could produce healthier-looking lungs or reverse the effects of smoking and pollution.

The ASCI report emphasized that scientific-sounding language, impressive percentages, and references to research do not replace credible evidence supporting a product's specific claim. The report also noted that claims involving rapid results, before-and-after images, and comparisons like 'faster' or 'more effective' are not acceptable without proper substantiation.

India's 2016 Food Safety and Standards Regulations prohibit nutraceuticals from being marketed as treatments for diseases. The FSSAI advisory in October 2026 reinforced existing labelling requirements, warning that violations could result in regulatory action, including penalties and possible licence suspension or cancellation.

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