1 week ago
Why Indian Food Labels Can Hide Unhealthy Ingredients
Food packages often use big, friendly words to make products seem healthy.
The most important details are usually in the smaller print on the back.
Ingredients are listed from the largest amount to the smallest amount.
Sugar can also appear under many different names.
This means a product that sounds healthy may still contain a lot of sugar or refined ingredients.
Revant Himatsingha, known as Food Pharmer, showed this problem by examining products such as Bournvita.
A simple label such as Nutri-Score could make nutritional quality easier to compare.
The article says consumers, companies, and regulators all need to make food labeling clearer.
Front-of-pack claims such as “multigrain” and “no added sugar” may not reflect a product’s overall nutritional quality.
Ingredients are listed by quantity, while sugars may appear under several different names.
The article argues that small print, technical additives codes, and vague oil descriptions make back-of-pack information difficult to understand.
Nutri-Score is presented as a clearer A-to-E system that could expose products marketed with health-focused claims.
Nutritionist Revant Himatsingha’s 2023 criticism of Bournvita helped trigger public backlash and a reported reduction in its sugar content.
- Who
- Indian food consumers, packaged-food brands, nutritionist and content creator Revant Himatsingha, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
- What
- An argument for clearer food labels and mandatory front-of-pack nutritional grading in India, alongside advice to inspect ingredients and serving sizes.
- Where
- India, with Nutri-Score discussed through the author’s experience in France.
- When
- FSSAI has discussed labeling reforms for years; Revant Himatsingha’s Bournvita video went viral in 2023.
- Why
- The article argues that health-focused front-of-pack marketing can obscure high sugar, refined ingredients, additives, and other nutritional concerns.
Key facts
- Ingredient order
- Ingredients are listed in descending order by quantity.
- Hidden sugars
- The article lists maltose, dextrose, fructose, syrups, barley malt, and other terms as forms of sugar.
- Nutri-Score scale
- Nutri-Score grades products from A, described as most nutritious, to E, described as least nutritious.
- 2023 Bournvita episode
- Revant Himatsingha posted a viral video examining Bournvita’s sugar content; the article says Mondelez initially issued a legal notice and sugar was later reduced.
- Regulator
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has discussed front-of-pack labeling reforms and has moved toward QR-code requirements covering product information.
- Consumer advice
- The article recommends checking the first three ingredients, identifying different sugar names, questioning serving sizes, and comparing front claims with back-of-pack information.
Sources
Related news
India’s Front-of-Pack Food Warning Debate Faces Industry Pushback
Food Labels Sell Emotion, Not Facts, Nutritionist Warns
India Tightens Scrutiny of Food Labels and Health Claims
India Drops Food Warning Labels as Court Reviews Policy
Nestlé CEO Supports India Crackdown on Misleading Food Labels
Parle Supports Stricter Food Labels, Defends Parle-G Campaign
Mumbai FDA Suspends Two Food Licences, Flags Two More
India’s Proposed Food Warning Labels Face Health, Industry Backlash
FSSAI Chief Backs Mundhe’s Maharashtra Food Safety Drive
Egg prices surge 10-50% in six months, consumers concerned about adulteration
Cockroach Allegedly Spotted On Dessert Plate At Virar Restaurant
