New Delhi, August 30(HS): In a landmark move to bolster India's sports ecosystem, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) today formally announced the establishment of the country's first specialized Nutritional Supplement Testing referral laboratories. The announcement was made during the Sports Goods Manufacturing Conclave held at The Ashok Hotel, New Delhi, where policymakers, industry leaders, and experts gathered to promote indigenous manufacturing and enhance the sports goods sector.
These pioneering laboratories have secured NABL accreditation and approval from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), heralding a new era in ensuring the safety and integrity of supplements consumed by athletes. The two referral laboratories have been established under a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between MYAS, FSSAI, and premier institutions:
-Centre of Excellence for Research and Analysis of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), Gandhinagar, Gujarat; and
-Analytical Testing Laboratory, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, felicitated the institutions for this groundbreaking development and emphasized its critical role in safeguarding athletes from inadvertent doping risks.
Nutritional supplements have become a staple for athletes nationwide; however, the lack of dedicated testing facilities in India previously left them vulnerable to consuming contaminated or banned substances unknowingly. These labs will now test for World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-prohibited substances within supplements, ensuring certified products that comply with global anti-doping standards.
This initiative represents a significant stride in enhancing India’s anti-doping infrastructure, fortifying scientific expertise, and fostering a culture of fair play across all levels of sports.
The establishment of these referral laboratories promises to instill confidence among athletes regarding supplement safety while simultaneously supporting India’s vision of becoming a global leader in sports manufacturing and regulation.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
