Fact-check
Are fat burners banned in India?
Last checked 10 October 2026
Fat burners are not banned as a category in India as of 10 Oct 2026; sibutramine has been a banned drug since 2011, hormones and steroids are barred from supplements, and DMAA and yohimbine are not in FSSAI's permitted schedules.
- Classification
- Restricted (Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006)
- Decided by
- FSSAI; Central Government (Section 26A, Drugs and Cosmetics Act)
- Reference
- FSSAI direction of 30 Mar 2022, regulations 3(4) and 3(5); Section 26A, Drugs and Cosmetics Act (sibutramine, 2011)
- Latest action
- 1 April 2023
- Last checked
- 10 October 2026
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FSSAI direction operationalising the FSS (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, and Prebiotic and Probiotic Food) Regulations 2022
Scope. A record here does not by itself mean a product or company is unsafe or banned today. Regulatory actions can apply to one batch, one formulation, one period or one state. Always check the linked government document for the current position, and tell us if something is out of date. How we label records.
Below: Blacklisted's explanationWe organise and explain what the document says. The document above is the authority.
Key facts
- Sibutramine
- Banned drug since 2011 under Section 26A; see /medicines/banned
- Hormones and steroids
- Barred from supplements by regulation 3(5)
- DMAA, yohimbine
- Not in the FSSAI permitted schedules, so not permitted in a supplement
- Caffeine
- Permitted up to 3 mg per kg of body weight per day
- Any drug
- A health supplement shall not include a drug (regulation 3(4))
We found no order that bans fat burners as a category in India. The rules apply to what a product contains. Several specific things are prohibited or not permitted. Sibutramine has been a banned drug since 2011 under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Hormones and steroids are barred from supplements by regulation 3(5) of FSSAI's 2022 health supplement and nutraceutical regulations. And a supplement may not include a drug at all (regulation 3(4)).
DMAA and yohimbine are different: we found no Indian order that names either, but neither is in FSSAI's permitted schedules, so neither is lawful in a supplement. Caffeine is permitted up to 3 mg per kg of body weight per day.
The risk is in the label. The US FDA's import alert 54-16 covers foods and supplements containing undeclared drug ingredients and lists Indian firms. Our pages on sibutramine, DMAA and yohimbine give the detail. This page names no product.
What this means for you
Read for named ingredients
Look for sibutramine, DMAA, yohimbine and anything that is a hormone or steroid. Caffeine within the cap is permitted.
A product may not list what is in it
The US FDA's import alert on undeclared drug ingredients lists Indian firms. This page names no product.
This is a record of official orders, not medical advice. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without asking your doctor or pharmacist.
Common questions
Which weight-loss ingredients are prohibited in India?
Sibutramine is a banned drug. Hormones and steroids are barred from supplements. DMAA and yohimbine are not in FSSAI's permitted schedules.
Is caffeine allowed in fat burners?
Yes, up to 3 mg per kg of body weight per day, per FSSAI's schedules.
Official sources and primary records
- FSSAI direction operationalising the FSS (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, and Prebiotic and Probiotic Food) Regulations 2022RegulatorFSSAI · 30 March 2022
- FSSAI direction: re-operationalisation of the FSS (Nutraceutical) Regulations 2022 from 1 Apr 2023RegulatorFSSAI · 1 April 2023
- US FDA import alerts: firms from India (including alerts 54-16 and 54-14)RegulatorUS Food and Drug Administration