Soon, red hexagonal label to warn of high fat, sugar, salt in snacks, Pg7

Key Highlights:

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a red hexagonal front-of-pack label to warn consumers about packaged foods high in salt, added sugar, or added fat.
• This proposal was prompted by a directive from the Supreme Court of India, which is hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the matter.
• The implementation of Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL) is planned in two phases.
• In the first phase, the warning label will apply to products high in at least two of the specified nutrients.
• The thresholds for "high" content are based on the Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024, issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN).
• Exemptions include single-ingredient foods and those inherently rich in fat, sugar, or salt, such as ghee, edible oil, and honey.

FSSAI Warnings.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• The FSSAI is a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, established by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, to regulate food safety and standards in India.
• The Supreme Court of India linked food safety with the fundamental Right to Life under Article 21 while directing the government on this issue.
• Globally, many countries have adopted or are developing FOPNL systems, including warning labels (like in Chile and Mexico) and star ratings (like Australia's Health Star Rating).
• Experts have raised concerns about the proposed two-phase implementation, suggesting that the initial phase might render the warning ineffective for products high in only one nutrient.
• Challenges also include the difficulty in accurately estimating "added" sugars or fats and the proposed small font size for the warning label.
• The primary goal of FOPNL is to empower consumers to make healthier food choices and to encourage food manufacturers to reformulate their products.
• Previous attempts in India to introduce FOPNL included a Health Star Rating (HSR) system, which faced opposition from health professionals and consumer groups.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI): A statutory body responsible for setting and enforcing food safety standards in India.
• Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL): A system that provides simplified nutritional information on the front of food packaging to help consumers make informed choices.
• Public Interest Litigation (PIL): A legal action initiated in a court of law for the protection of public interest, often for marginalized or unrepresented groups.
• Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024: Comprehensive recommendations by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition for healthy eating habits and preventing diet-related non-communicable diseases.