Nutraceuticals encompass a class of food products comprising of extracts, isolates, and purified chemical compounds that offer physiological advantages and contribute to overall well-being.
Published Jul 25, 2024 | 9:22 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 25, 2024 | 11:38 AM
The center will be located at the Life Science Park in Thonnakkal. (Bio360in)
The Kerala government, on Wednesday, 24 July, announced its plan to establish a Centre for Excellence (CoE) in Nutraceuticals in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital.
The significant move aims to harness the state’s natural resources for health and economic benefits. The CoE initiative will be a collaborative effort involving Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC), Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), and Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC).
As per the Food Safety Standard Authority of India, nutraceuticals encompass a class of food products comprising of extracts, isolates, and purified chemical compounds that offer physiological advantages and contribute to overall well-being.
Nutraceuticals’ primary purpose is to confer physiological advantages and contribute to maintaining optimal health. Research has shown that nutraceuticals play a crucial role in boosting immunity and reducing susceptibility to certain diseases.
At the same time, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, in its ‘Focus Paper on Nutraceuticals’ highlighted that nutraceuticals, which are food-derived products, go beyond basic nutrition and offer potential health benefits.
Nutraceuticals have gained popularity as consumers increasingly seek to improve their overall well-being and prevent or manage diseases.
It also underscored that nutraceuticals have been found to have a positive impact on various health concerns, including obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.
They possess properties such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-lipid, antioxidant, and anti-allergen effects, making them valuable in supporting overall health and disease prevention.
The ministry further noted that India’s nutraceuticals market was poised to take the lead globally, with projected growth of over $18 billion by 2025.
An excerpt from the Cabinet briefing noted that despite Kerala’s rich natural resources, including vast water bodies, extensive coastal areas, lush forests, and the Western Ghats, the state lacked institutions dedicated to the optimum utilisation of these resources.
The Cabinet is of the view that the establishment of the CoE in Nutraceuticals would bridge this gap by studying and commercialising these valuable resources.
The center’s objectives included ensuring the safety of existing nutraceuticals, discovering new ones, and developing innovative products.
Officials pointed at Kerala’s favorable climate, plentiful raw materials, and skilled workforce as essential factors that could establish the state as a frontrunner in the nutraceutical industry.
“With a growing focus on preventive healthcare and the increasing popularity of immune-boosting supplements, the nutraceutical market in India is experiencing a notable shift in consumer behaviour,” a source told South First.
“Supermarkets and hypermarkets are expected to lead the distribution of nutraceutical products, driven by urbanisation, rising disposable incomes, and a trend towards healthy eating habits among consumers,” he said.
The official added that through research, compliance with regulatory standards, and innovative marketing strategies, the state could successfully expand its nutraceutical market.
The center will be located at the Life Science Park in Thonnakkal, where research and development activities are set to commence shortly.
Initially, the Institute of Advanced Virology, housed within the Bio-Life Science Park, will provide temporary laboratory facilities to kickstart the project.
The state Budget 2022-23 had announced the setting up of a CoE in Nutraceuticals.
It was then stated that it would be an integration of nutrition and pharmaceutical sciences with traditional knowledge and medical practices imparted by Aboriginal communities around the world.
The Budget announced that K-DISC will facilitate a programme to integrate research centers, startups, and other institutes in the field and an expert committee will be formed to prepare a blueprint for the nutraceutical project.
An amount of ₹25 lakh was also earmarked for preparing a detailed project report.
(Edited by Majnu Babu)
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