Table of Contents

GS-3                                             

• Nutraceuticals

Facts for Prelims

• ISO Committee on Consumer Policy (COPOLCO)
• Thirukkural
• Operation Dhvast

Nutraceuticals

Context

India may soon have mandatory standards for nutritional supplements since the FSSAI is working on benchmarks.

About Nutraceuticals:

Mandatory Standards for Nutritional Supplements in India

• The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is working on establishing mandatory standards for nutritional supplements in India.
• The aim is to set benchmarks to ensure the quality and safety of nutraceutical products.
• This move comes as the demand for nutraceuticals is rapidly increasing in the country.

Focus of FSSAI Scientific Committee

• The newly constituted scientific committee of FSSAI met for the first time to focus on sustainable food standards, new areas, and challenges.
• The committee aims to address the evolving needs and ensure the safety and effectiveness of food products.

Understanding Nutraceuticals

• Nutraceuticals are foods or products derived from foods that have beneficial health effects.
• They primarily focus on prevention rather than cure.
• These products are known for their therapeutic effects and can help prevent various life-threatening diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Range of Nutraceuticals

• Nutraceuticals encompass a wide range of products, including dietary supplements (proteins, vitamins, and minerals) and pure compounds derived from natural sources.
• They offer safe therapeutic effects and provide nutritional benefits.

Potential Benefits of Nutraceuticals

• Prevention of chronic diseases: Nutraceuticals can be used to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and inflammatory-based diseases.
• Treatment of inflammation: They can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in chronic inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.
• Relief from anxiety: Certain vitamins, like vitamin D and vitamin B, play a crucial role in mood regulation and may help reduce the risk of depression and anxiety.
• Improvement of overall health: Nutraceuticals contribute to improving overall health by providing essential nutrients and supporting mental and physical well-being through a balanced diet.

Top of Form

 

ISO Committee on Consumer Policy (COPOLCO)

 

Context

India is hosting the 44th edition of the coveted annual ISO COPOLCO Plenary from 23-26 May 2023 in New Delhi.

ISO COPOLCO Plenary Organized by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which is India\’s national standards body, is organizing this event.
• The ISO COPOLCO Plenary is a significant event that has a global economic impact and affects people\’s lives.
• ISO COPOLCO brings together representatives from ISO member countries to discuss and develop strategies for speeding up the development of global standards.

Committee on Consumer Policy (COPOLCO):

• COPOLCO is a committee of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that focuses on promoting consumer interests in the standardization process.
• It ensures that standards are developed with the needs of consumers in mind.
• COPOLCO members consist of ISO members.

Objectives of COPOLCO:

• Study ways to help consumers benefit from standardization and improve their participation in national and international standardization.
• Provide a platform for exchanging information on consumer participation in developing and implementing standards in the consumer field.
• Advise ISO Council on the consolidated viewpoints of consumers regarding ISO\’s current and potential standardization and conformity assessment work.
• Advise ISO Council on the need for new or revised policies or actions within ISO that address consumers\’ needs.

About International Standards Organization (ISO):

• ISO is an independent, non-governmental international organization with members from the national standards bodies of 168 countries.
• Its central secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
• India is one of the founding members of ISO.
• ISO develops standards that impact various business and social sectors worldwide.

 

Thirukkural

Context

Indian Prime Minister along with his Papua New Guinea counterpart recently released the Tamil classic \’Thirukkural\’ in the Tok Pisin language.

About Thirukkural:

• Thirukkural, also known as Tirukkural or \”Sacred Couplets,\” is a revered Tamil text written by Thiruvalluvar, believed to have lived between the 2nd century BCE and the 5th century CE.

Influence on Tamil Culture:

• Thirukkural has had a profound impact on Tamil culture and daily life.
• It contains 1,330 couplets (kurals) that provide timeless wisdom on various aspects of life, including ethics, governance, love, and spirituality.

Structure and Themes:

• Thirukkural is divided into three main sections or books: Aram (Virtue), Porul (Wealth), and Inbam (Love).
• Each section covers a wide range of topics and offers moral, ethical, and practical guidance.

Concise and Poetic Form:

• The couplets in Thirukkural are written in a concise and poetic form, making them easy to remember and quote.

Aram:

• This section discusses virtues such as righteousness, truth, gratitude, and compassion. It emphasizes the importance of leading a righteous life and upholding moral values in all situations.

Porul:

• The Porul section provides insights into worldly matters, including governance, economy, and friendship.
• It offers wisdom on topics such as managing wealth, administration, and the value of surrounding oneself with good company.

Inbam:

• The Inbam section explores the complexities of human emotions, love, and family life.

Operation Dhvast

 

Context

Under Operation Dhvast, National Investigation Agency (NIA) recently arrested three in multi-state raids.

About \’Operation Dhvast\’ and NIA Raids:

• Operation Dhvast – A Massive Crackdown
• The crackdown, codenamed \’Operation Dhvast,\’ involved coordinated raids by the NIA, Punjab police, and Haryana Police.
• The raids were conducted at 324 locations across Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and other regions.
• The operation lasted for an entire day.

Arrests Made by NIA

• The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made three arrests in connection with the multi-state raids.
• These arrests are related to three separate cases that involve the nexus between terrorists, gangsters, and drug dealers.
• Nexus Involving Targeted Killings, Extortion, and Terror Funding
• The nexus uncovered in the investigation has been linked to targeted killings, extortion, and terror funding.
• Pro-Khalistan outfits have been receiving funds from smuggling drugs and weapons.

Involvement of Organized Network Operating Abroad

• NIA investigations have revealed that conspiracies were being planned in prisons across different states.
• These conspiracies were executed by an organized network of operatives based abroad.