The regulation is based on a study from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Ahmedabad.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) plan to implement a star grading system for packaged goods is welcomed since it can offer customers with assurance about the product’s quality. Electronic appliances are rated by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. Food goods might benefit greatly from such a system.
According to the current proposal, all packaged goods will have stars on the front of the packaging indicating how healthy they are, based on the quantity of salt, sugar, and fat they contain. A colour scheme akin to traffic lights, a nutrition score, and warning signs were also examined as alternatives. Finally, it was determined that a star rating system would effectively communicate the information regarding a product’s health consequences.
The regulation is based on a study from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Ahmedabad. The FSSAI had commissioned IIM-A to research the impact of front-of-pack labelling for packaged and processed goods. Back-of-the-pack nutritional content information is now available on packaged goods. However, studies have shown that informing and educating consumers about the quality of material in terms of its health impact is insufficient.
Many consumers do not read, much less understand, the information stated on the packet, which is typically in small print. As a result, a clear, easy-to-understand, and trustworthy guidance would be beneficial, which the front-of-packaging labelling is designed to give. First and foremost, milk and dairy products are excluded. The FSSAI anticipates food product manufacturers voluntarily implementing the proposal beginning next year, with obligatory labelling after a four-year transition period.
Packaged food is currently a major element of the food business, and it is expanding in size and reach as people’s lifestyles change. Packaged foods in general are unhealthy, and there have been several concerns about them. Consumers want help in this area, especially as lifestyle illnesses become more prevalent in the country. According to the FSSAI, the system would encourage good eating habits and lower the prevalence of non-communicable illnesses. The proposal’s specifics are said to be in line with labelling schemes used in some nations, such as the United Kingdom, and the WHO Population Nutrient Intake Goals Recommendations.
The FSSAI is starting on a difficult mission, and it must guarantee that it is completed successfully. Because the legislation is still being finalised based on industry comments, there is still a lot of area to cover.