BigMuscles fined Rs 1 Lakh for selling protein powder ‘spiked’ with high levels of sugar, unknown amino acids

Earlier this year, various protein brands came under the scanner after a study lead by popular hepatologist Cyriac Abby Philips (TheLiverDoc) called them out for making false and exaggerated claims on their labels. One company that stood out amidst all this controversy was BigMuscles.

The protein powders sold by BigMuscles were deemed the worst by the study's authors. In fact, the brand has been embroiled in similar controversies around mislabelling for a while now. But even before that, a Mumbai-based fitness enthusiast, Rahul Shekhawat, discovered that his online-purchased protein powder contained misleading information and potentially harmful ingredients.
Shekhawat purchased BigMuscles Nutrition’s protein powder in February 2023, trusting the advertised claims of "100% performance" and "24 grams of high-quality protein with no added sugar." However, upon encountering online articles questioning the health benefits of whey protein, he contacted the company.

Despite receiving assurances and a supposed lab report from the company confirming the product's safety, Shekhawat remained unconvinced. He independently tested the product, revealing a stark contrast to the advertised content. The independent lab report showed the presence of sugar and carbohydrates, contradicting the company's claims of a sugar-free product.

Following a notice to the company that went unanswered, Shekhawat filed a complaint with the consumer forum. The company failed to appear before the forum.
The consumer commission, based on Shekhawat's independent lab report, found the labelling to be "falsely displayed" and containing "a series of false claims regarding the ingredients." The commission specifically condemned the practice of "spiking of the protein content with the aid of unknown amino acids."

The commission ruled in Shekhawat's favour, awarding him Rs 1.1 lakh as compensation for mental agony and a full refund for the misleading product. This case highlights the importance of consumer awareness and the potential dangers of unsubstantiated claims in the health supplement industry.