New Regulation On Provision Of Information On The Nutritional Content Of Foods
This new proposal was recently passed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that states that the information regarding the Nutrients of such inadequacy namely the total sugar, salt and saturated fat be divulged on packed food products in the larger fonts as well as bold printing. This decision repeals the earlier drafted Front of Package Labelling (FoPL) Regulations for ultra-processed foods in India.
Emphasis on Transparency
Before that, food companies operating in India were only legally required to place the most fundamental nutrient details on the reverse side of the packs they used. Nevertheless, the tendency is that the countries prefer front-pack labelling, and such a system effectively decreases the consumption of unhealthy products. The new regulation that has been set out by the FSSAI is making further objectives clearer to enlighten the population by highlighting certain nutrition information that is to be placed at the front of the packaging.
Public Feedback and Implementation
Since this is an amendment to the initial notification, the draft notification will be issued to allow the public to give their comments and/or objections. Food companies becoming conscious of the FSSAI’s statement pointed out that the details on the percentage SEQ contribution for every serving to RDAs in bold would be required now.
Health and Well-being Focus
The FSSAI feels that this change will enable the consumption sector’s consumers to make better choices which in turn will allow the fight against the rising burden of NCDs and consequently be able to enhance the well-being of the public. The regulation had been proposed and debated for quite some time with the intention to help choose the healthiest option for both – the companies and consumers.
Prior Proposals and promoting the consumer’s interest
What was new in a draft regulation for FoPL, the FSSAI had used star ratings from one to five on food products relative to categories that are salt, sugar, and fat. Before, consumer organisations had thought of front-of-the-pack traffic lights in our nutrition label, the red cap for the most unhealthy and a green cap for the least unhealthy. The latest move by the FSSAI would go a long way in further improving nutritional labelling or, in other words, consumer digitisation.
