Invima Has Alerted Colombia to 42 Products Containing Whey Protein

Invima said the products hold health registrations or notifications allowing them to be sold as foods and beverages. The authority’s action concerns the way some products are promoted, rather than the mere presence of dairy protein in their formulations.

The products include powdered foods and mixes associated with proteins, carbohydrates and drinks. Several are linked to the whey-protein market. The list names Whey Pure, made with whey protein; Best Protein, containing whey-protein isolate; and 100% Whey Elite, based on dairy whey protein.

It also includes Bi-Pro Megaplex and Bi-Pro Classic, both formulated with bovine whey protein. XL Gainer, Gainer Pro and Isolate Gourmet are among other products identified as containing proteins derived from whey.

Invima said that authorisation to sell an item as a food does not permit its promotion with unrestricted functional claims. The authority cited statements referring to muscle-mass gains, post-training recovery, physical performance, higher energy, reduced fatigue and weight gain.

According to Invima, describing the products as sports supplements or assigning them medicinal, preventive or curative properties may create a mismatch between their approved sanitary category and the advertising used to sell them. The institute said it was carrying out the relevant administrative proceedings concerning the products named in the alert.

Invima recommended that consumers refrain from buying or consuming the listed products. The available information does not establish that all 42 items are adulterated or that their stated composition is false. The reported non-compliance relates to advertising and to the use of food registrations or notifications for promotional claims that do not correspond to the category under which the products were authorised.