Currently, Indian food companies are obligated to list basic nutrient information only on the back of the packaging, whereas globally, front-of-pack labelling has been shown to decrease the consumption of unhealthy foods.
Digital Desk: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has endorsed a measure to enhance nutritional transparency by requiring packaged food labels to prominently display information on total sugar, salt, and saturated fat in bold letters and increased font size. This decision marks a departure from the previously proposed Front of Package Labelling (FoPL) Regulations for ultra-processed foods in India.
Currently, Indian food companies are obligated to list basic nutrient information only on the back of the packaging, whereas globally, front-of-pack labelling has been shown to decrease the consumption of unhealthy foods.
The FSSAI announced that the draft notification for this amendment will be made publicly available to solicit feedback and objections. Under the new rules, companies will be required to highlight, in bold, the percentage contribution per serving towards Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for total sugar, saturated fat, and sodium content.
"This amendment not only empowers consumers to make informed, healthier choices but also supports efforts to combat the increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and promote public health and well-being," stated the food authority.
For several years, the FSSAI has been deliberating regulations aimed at mandating nutritional information on the front of packaged foods, which would have represented a significant reform encouraging both companies and consumers to opt for healthier alternatives.
Initially proposed under FOPL, these regulations included a star rating system (one to five stars) to denote the healthiness of food items based on their salt, sugar, and fat content. Consumer groups had advocated for traffic light labelling on the front of packages, using red to indicate the least healthy and green for the healthiest options.
However, following prolonged discussions and resistance from food manufacturers, the proposal was put on hold.
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