How to tell a genuine supplement from a fake

Fake and tampered supplements are a real problem in India, and they are often sold at a price that seems too good to be true. The good news: most genuine products give you several ways to check them. Here is what to look at before you pay. 1. THE SEAL A genuine tub has an intact seal under the lid — usually a foil or induction seal — and often a tamper-evident band around the lid itself. If the seal is loose, torn or re-glued, do not accept it. 2. THE LABEL AND PRINT QUALITY Look for blurred printing, spelling mistakes, colours that look off, or a label peeling at the edges. Big brands print cleanly. 3. BATCH NUMBER, DATES AND MRP Every pack should show a batch or lot number, a manufacturing date, a best-before or expiry date, and the MRP. Check that the dates make sense and that the batch number is printed, not handwritten. 4. THE FSSAI LICENCE Food supplements sold in India should carry an FSSAI licence number on the label. Imported products should also carry the importer's name and address. 5. THE BRAND'S OWN AUTHENTICITY CHECK Many brands now print a scratch code, QR code or unique number you can verify on their website or app. If the pack has one, use it — it takes a minute. 6. THE PRICE Supplements do go on offer, but a price far below what everyone else charges is the most common sign that something is wrong. 7. THE PRODUCT ITSELF Genuine powder mixes and smells the way it did last time. Lumps that will not break, an odd smell or a strange taste are reasons to stop and ask. AT PROTEIN BASKET Every tub we sell carries its manufacturer seal, batch number and printed MRP, and you are welcome to check all of it at the counter before you pay — scratch codes included. Customers mention genuine products in our Google reviews, and we would like to keep it that way. If you are ever unsure about a product — ours or anyone else's — bring it in, or send us a photo on WhatsApp, and we will tell you what we see.