Food supplement samples collected from two stores

Tribune News Service
Amritsar, July 16

Health officials collected samples of food supplements and nutrients from two shops in the city on Tuesday. Officials of the drug wing of the department said the inspection was conducted at ABC Nutrition and Sports Nutrition.

With this, the officials concerned have checked seven gymnasiums and food nutrition shops which sell food supplements to gym enthusiasts. The drive is a part of an exercise initiated on the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court under which a status report has been sought regarding the use of steroids and other harmful food nutrients by people, especially gym enthusiasts.

Drug Inspector Bableen Kaur, who led the team, said, “We have checked five major gymnasiums and two food nutrient shops so far. Nothing incriminating was found at the gymnasiums where checking was conducted. Samples have been collected from food nutrition shops as well.”

Food Safety Officers Gagandeep Kaur and Simranjit Singh confirmed the development. They said samples were sent for testing. The samples include calcium supplements, chocolate bars and BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids).

The growing interest among people regarding improvement in physical appearance, inspired by gym-crafted film actors, has also pushed up the use of food supplements by youngsters. Sources in the gymnasium industry say coaches and trainers at health clubs often encourage newcomers to use food supplements.

“They don’t sell it directly, but recommend a brand name and a shop from which they get commission. Youngsters too want quick transformation and are ready to spend money,” sources add.

Medical experts believe that steroids and other substances in these food supplements are harmful for the human body. The harms it inflict include anxiety, depression and even hair loss.