Why in news
There’s a growing focus on plants that serve both as food and medicine.
Nutraceuticals Demand: Sustainable, natural products with health benefits are in high demand.
A study identified 1,788 species used as both food and medicine, highlighting traditional and modern uses.
Safety of Foods as Medicine
While traditional use of plants is generally safe, new forms (like pills) raise safety concerns.
Example of Turmeric: It has recognized health benefits, but therapeutic doses differ significantly from culinary uses, posing potential risks if misused.
Only a small percentage of plants are documented for both food and medicinal uses, complicating consumer understanding.
Discord and Conflict
Over 21,000 different scientific names were found for just 7,564 plants due to synonyms, complicating research and regulation.
Scientific names change frequently, adding to confusion for consumers and researchers.
Food composition tables often lack specific details about plant varieties, affecting regulatory clarity and consumer safety.
Need for Standard Names
Standardized scientific nomenclature is essential for effective regulation and biodiversity conservation.
Plants cross national boundaries; international standards are necessary for legal and regulatory purposes.
Example of Ayurvedic Plants: Common names may not correlate with scientific names, leading to potential misuse.
Regulation by Which Regulator?
In India, Plants used for both food and medicine are regulated by different agencies (FSSAI for food, CDSCO for drugs).
Other countries with such separation : Brazil, China, the European Union, India, the U.S., and the U.K.
Separate regulations may not recognize the dual-use of certain plants, complicating safety assessments.
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