New Delhi: In a move aimed at protecting consumers and promoting transparency, the Indian government will soon require health and wellness influencers to display their qualifications before offering advice online. This regulation is being rolled out by the Department of Consumer Affairs amid growing concerns over the credibility of social media like- (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Blog Website, LinkedIn, etc) endorsements in the health sector.
Rohit Kumar Singh, former Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, stated that the guidelines will make it mandatory for influencers to clearly disclose their educational or professional qualifications related to health and wellness. The display must be obvious and easily visible to audiences so that people can evaluate the credibility of the advice being offered.
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| Rohit Kumar Singh |
“If you are saying this food is good or bad, that this medicine is good, you must be qualified and disclose that you are qualified to say that. Otherwise, it can be majorly misleading,” said Singh in an interview.
This initiative follows an earlier directive issued by the department in March, which required all social media influencers and celebrities to disclose their financial or material relationships with the brands and products they promote. The government wants to ensure that consumers are not misled by hidden endorsements.
The regulation comes as India’s nutraceuticals market – which includes dietary supplements and fortified foods – is projected to reach $18 billion by 2025, growing at a rate of 17% annually. With 65% of the market comprised of dietary supplements, the influence of social media personalities in promoting these products has increased significantly.
Singh noted that many influencers are young and generate revenue through such endorsements. “We don’t want to interfere with the model. What we are wary of is the consumer being taken for a ride,” he said.
This new policy marks a crucial step towards ensuring that health advice on digital platforms is backed by genuine expertise, thereby protecting public health and preventing misinformation.