FSSAI plans to motivate you to eat healthy food

What is Front-of-Pack Labeling (FOPL)?

FOPL can motivate people to consume packaged food healthier. It can also affect shopping habits. FSSAI, a body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has commissioned IIM-A to conduct a large-scale survey across the globe to analyze key FoPL models and identify one easy to understand and drive behavior change among Indian consumers. was asked to do. The study supported the HSR format, which describes the proportion of salt, sugar and fat in food that is best suited for consumers. Countries such as the UK, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Hungary and Australia have implemented the FOPL system.

What was the rationale for such rating in India?

In India, packaged food contains detailed information on back-of-package (BOP) nutrients but not FOPL. Many Indian consumers do not read the information available on the back of the packaged food item. Also, India has a high burden of non-communicable diseases which contribute to about 5.87 million (60%) of all deaths in a year. HSR will encourage people to make healthier choices and can bring about a transformative change in the society. In June 2021, a PIL was filed in the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the government to frame guidelines on HSR and to assess the impact of food items and beverages.

Which category of food item will have HSR?

All packaged foods or processed foods will be labeled HSR. These include chips, biscuits, snacks, sweets and chocolates, meat nuggets and cookies. However, milk and its products such as chhena and ghee have been exempted from declaration of front-of-pack labeling as they were in the earlier draft of FSSAI notified in 2019.

Will there be a pushback from the food industry?

During the last meeting with FSSAI and industry representatives on 15 February, some experts opposed the use of the HSR model in India, suggesting that consumers may take it as an affirmation of health benefits and not side effects. As a negative warning. This is important as there is a lack of awareness about star ratings related to consumer products in India. A person with knowledge of the development said the government has received backlash from some organizations opposing these ratings, fearing it may affect sales of some food products.

When will the rating apply?

The Scientific Panel of FSSAI recommends a four-year transition period for voluntary implementation of the HSR model and making it mandatory from 2023. The FSSAI noted that the proposed limits are in line with models applicable in other countries and ‘recommendations of WHO population nutrient intake targets’. FSSAI will analyze the nutritional information in 100 mg packaged food. The Food Safety Compliance System Licensing Application Portal will have a module for generating the certificate in which the licensee can enter the details of a product.