The organisers were specifically asked to clarify whether the products qualified as “drugs” under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
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The ‘Peptide Party’ scheduled to be held in Koramangala in Bengaluru on Saturday has been cancelled by the organisers following an enquiry by the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA), which had sought detailed information on the peptide products proposed to be promoted or made available at the event.
In a public advisory issued on Friday, the FSDA said the authorised representatives of Upsurge Labs LLP, the organisers, had submitted a written statement informing the department that the event had been cancelled. The organisers had also sought time to submit documents relating to the event, and the department said they had been given an opportunity to produce the required documents.
Notice issued
The development followed a notice issued by the FSDA on Thursday after it took note of social media publicity for the proposed event. The department said the identity, composition, source, intended use, and regulatory status of the preparations had not been established in the publicity material. The FSDA sought details of each peptide product, import, and other regulatory licences.
The organisers were specifically asked to clarify whether the products qualified as “drugs” under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. If they were not, the department sought the statutory basis for such classification.
The notice also sought information on claims relating to weight management, muscle growth and many more, along with scientific evidence and regulatory approvals supporting such claims. Details of medical supervision, consent procedures, and arrangements for handling adverse events were sought if administration was proposed.
The notice covered products that may have been presented as food, health supplements or nutraceuticals as well. In such cases, the FSDA sought the relevant FSSAI licence and other details.
No final finding
However, the department clarified in its notice that the information available to it was not being treated as conclusive evidence of any violation. It said the publicity material had raised questions that needed to be examined, including whether any proposed human use had the required regulatory and ethical clearances.
The organisers had been directed to furnish the information and documents by 10.30 a.m. on Friday. The notice said that failure to provide the required documents could result in the proposed event being kept on hold and could lead to further regulatory action.
The FSDA’s Friday advisory said the organisers had since communicated the cancellation of the event.
Health Minister U.T. Khader told The Hindu that the cancellation comes amid considerable discussion and criticism on social media over the proposed event.
Questions were being raised about the safety and regulatory status of peptide products and the proposed activities at the gathering. The FSDA’s action, however, was focused on establishing the regulatory status of the products and the nature of their proposed use rather than making a final finding on the legality of the event or the products.
What are peptides?
Peptides are not a single drug or substance. They are a class of short chains of amino acids that have a range of functions in the body.
Some, including established medicines such as insulin and certain other peptide-based drugs, have well-established medical uses. However, a number of peptides promoted online for weight loss, muscle recovery, longevity or other wellness purposes are still being investigated, and some are sold in markets without the regulatory approval required for medicines.
Published – August 29, 2026 12:37 am IST
