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Nutritional facts on labels and FSSAI regulations
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Wednesday, 16 June, 2021, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Palak Chaturvedi
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We all have purchased food and beverages and have glanced through the ingredient list at least once to check the nutritional values mentioned on the packaging. There always seems to be a lot of information that one has to comprehend before making the purchase. This information is crucial to help one decipher the indicators for the overall health index or nutritional value of the product.
Details such as the name of the product, the listing of ingredients, nutritional information, declaring the product vegetarian or non-vegetarian and inclusion of food additives and details of the manufacturer and customer care details are some of the key requirements that are mandated by the FSSAI regulations for every packaged product.
Other details that are obligatory on the packaging are the FSSAI logo, license number, batch number, packaging date, expiry date, country of origin and instruction of use. The labelling regulations apply to all ‘prepackaged’ and pre-packed food’ items.
The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority in India) is the regulatory body that helps consumers choose wisely by listing the ingredients, nutritional information, etc on the packaging of the product. FSSAI functions as a GoI organization under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. FSSAI regulates all the essential information and facts that help clarify doubts before purchasing the product. Let us look at the different types of labels and understand their role in the packaging process.
Some types of labelling:
Name of the Product:
Firstly, the name of the product tells us what the product is. The list of ingredients is one of the key elements on the packaging that tells us about the ingredients that go into making the final product. This segment is crucial as it deters the manufactures from misinterpreting the ingredients.
Nutritional Information:
The labelling also takes into account the safety of the consumer. Nutritional facts on the labels determine the calories from fats, saturated fats, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, dietary fibre, sugars, proteins, vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, etc that are mentioned on the label.
Vegetarian or Non-vegetarian:
All food packages carry a green dot within a green box or a red equivalent to distinguish between vegetarian or non-vegetarian food items. This ensures that those who are strict vegetarians are made aware of the product being purchased. It also helps to identify if the product is made with eggs or other non-vegetarian ingredients.
Food additives:
Processed food utilises food additives to improve taste, flavour, appearance and overall palatability. Hence it becomes important to mention these details on the packaging of the product.
Manufacturer details:
Every manufacturer is required by FSSAI regulations to have their complete name and address written on the packaging. The full address should contain the factory name, city and pin code. Without this information, the product can be considered fake.
Net Quantity:
FSSAI guidelines make it mandatory for manufactures to declare the weight of the item clearly and boldly on the packaging. For some items, the net weight is a total of the product weight and the package weight.
Country of Origin:
The country of origin refers to the place or country where the product was prepared, cultivated, made or processed. FSSAI makes it compulsory for products that are imported to have their country of origin mentioned on the packaging.
Key Dates on the Package:
Every product sold in the country has to mention some key dates related to the product. One of these is the date of manufacture and the relative date of expiry. The expiry date is also referred to in terms such as ‘best before or ‘use by date’.
The FSSAI regulations and guidelines are placed to assist consumers in making wise purchase choices. It helps in comparing the nutritional value of one brand from the other. Nutritional facts are mentioned based on their serving size or volume or weight. The overall energy that is given in a packet is based on its calories per serving. Let us look at what are some of the nutritional facts that are consumers should look out for.
Key ingredients to look out for:
Always read the labels to ensure that you know what you are purchasing. It is advisable to educate yourself and buy accordingly as packaged food isn’t always healthy. Products that claim to be fat-free are not calorie-free, hence use discretion while purchasing. Some products that have a lower calorie count can have as much fat content as others. All packaged food utilise sodium as preservatives, hence sodium will be higher among these foods.
Hence we have to watch out especially if you have high BP. Sugar-free or diabetic friendly products will use sugar alternatives like aspartame or sucralose. Enough research is not done to understand its long term side effects. Caution is advised when purchasing sugar-free alternatives. Purchasing multigrain bread or biscuits or snacks need close examination at the packaging label since a majority of them use refined wheat (maida).
For building a healthy lifestyle, choose products that are high in protein. Being the core building blocks of our body, products rich in protein help skin and muscle repair and provide energy to the body. Selecting food products that contain fibre is beneficial to your body as it improves overall digestive functioning in the body. Products that list vitamins and minerals help fight off infections and keep diseases in control.
An FSSAI license also tells the customer that the product adheres to the highest standards of food quality in the country with regulatory approval. An FSSAI mark on the product increases its credibility and helps the product to have an edge over other unbranded products in the market. This is done so that consumers can purchase the food items with care and clarity over the ingredients in a trustworthy manner.
(The author is a nutritionist and lifestyle consultant)
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