The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is in discussions with companies about adding a “cautionary warning” on the amount of added salt, sugar, and fat on the front labelling of packaged foods, alongside the proposed star rating system, to help consumers make informed choices.
FSSAI is on the way to frame rules for front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPL) of packaged foods. Its draft guidelines, issued in September, propose star ratings for food quality, among other measures.
The “cautionary warning” could be like the disclaimers on the front of liquor bottles, and the food regulator is still in discussion with the industry about it.
FSSAI will try to sensitize consumers about the levels of fat (sugar and salt). In its draft regulation for FOPL, the regulator proposed star ratings of one to five to indicate how healthy the food items are based on their salt, sugar, and fat content.
The proposal, nevertheless, has been opposed by packaged food makers, who say the move will hurt their business. Several types of labels were being considered, including traffic light signs, nutrition scores, health star ratings, and warning symbols.
However, the authority has chosen the star rating system based on the study done by IIM-Ahmedabad, which was roped in by the FSSAI to conduct a detailed report on the impact on consumers of front-of-labelling for packaged and processed foods in India. A similar system has been adopted by Australia and New Zealand.
FOPL is the most debated regulation for food packaging and has been in consultation stages for several years. This was the first time an external entity was involved in the labelling guidelines. For several years, the issue has been in consultation, with processed and packaged food companies expressing reservations and health activists advocating for the strictest possible standard. While there have been multiple discussions with stakeholders, there’s been no final decision yet.