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FSSAI to consider new approach regarding front of the pack labelling on nutrition
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Friday, 26 February, 2021, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi
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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has mooted yet another idea for the front of the pack labelling, for helping the consumers, to make ‘informed choices’ on nutrition.
The CEO of the apex food regulator has made a statement that the FSSAI is considering changes in the front of the pack labelling norms to include info on fat, salt and sugar content, which presently needs to be given at back of the pack.
The labelling norms were recently notified by FSSAI detailing the requirement on nutrition information and its placement on the food pack.
CEO FSSAI’s statement reads, “We are making an effort to bring down salt consumption so that disease caused due to high intake of salt could be reduced.” The statement added that rounds of consultation were held with the stakeholders on a workable solution.
Similar plans were considered by the FSSAI in the recent past include traffic light logo for fat, salt and sugar content on front of the pack, red dot for food products having high fat, salt sugar content and even once there were plans for a symbol for nutrition to distinguish healthier products from the HFSS products.
FSSAI had also launched a trans-fat free logo for the food businesses, which was voluntary.
It is pertinent to mention that FSSAI has been doing consultation on the labelling norms for food products considered high on fat, salt and sugar and generally referred to HFSS food or junk food.
The matter has been under consideration for the last 10 years after a PIL was filed in the Delhi High Court for banning junk food in schools, after which an expert committee was formed by the FSSAI on such food products.
Recently, FSSAI has notified rules for the fortified processed food including cereal products, bakery wares, and fruit juices however the food products high on fat, salt and sugar were excluded from these regulations.
Subsequently, the FSSAI has issued a clarification on exclusion of the high fat sugar salt –HFSS food from the ambit of the notified regulation and stated, “Considering the fact that the HFSS Foods have not been defined and notified in the Food Safety and Standards –Labelling and Display-Regulations 2020, it is clarified that the compliance of sub regulation 7 (governing such food products under the fortified regulations) shall come into effect once the HFSS food are defined and notified under the FSS-Labelling and Display –Regulation 2020.”
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