1 hr ago
India Tightens Food Warning Rules With Front-of-Pack Labels
India wants packaged foods to show clearer warnings on the front of the package.
A red symbol could appear if a food has too much salt, sugar or fat, even if only one of them is too high.
Foods with artificial sweeteners would also have to say so on the front.
The food safety authority plans to finish the rules in about four months.
Companies would then have 365 days to start using the new labels.
Health experts and activists say the earlier plan was not strict enough.
Food companies worry that many popular foods, including sweets, chips and cola, could receive red warnings.
The debate is happening as India increases inspections and concern about food safety grows.
Products exceeding limits for salt, sugar or fat will receive a red warning symbol even if only one nutrient exceeds its threshold.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India plans to finalize the regulations in about four months.
Food companies will receive a 365-day voluntary implementation period before stricter labeling becomes mandatory.
Foods and beverages containing artificial sweeteners would need the front-of-pack statement: "CONTAIN NON CALORIC SWEETENER."
Industry groups warn that popular Indian foods could carry labels that damage the global image of Indian products.
- Who
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, food companies, health experts, activists and the All India Food Processors' Association.
- What
- India is proposing stricter front-of-pack warnings for foods high in salt, sugar or fat and for products containing artificial sweeteners.
- Where
- India, with the proposal submitted to the Supreme Court of India.
- When
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India made the proposal in a filing dated Wednesday; regulations are expected to be finalized in about four months, followed by a 365-day implementation period.
- Why
- The measures respond to concerns about food safety, poor hygiene and standards, as well as criticism that an earlier labeling plan was too lenient.
Health and Consumer Advocates
Food Industry
How strict the warnings should be
Health and Consumer Advocates
Activists and health experts criticized the earlier plan as too lenient and support warnings when any one nutrient exceeds its limit.
Food Industry
The All India Food Processors' Association says many popular products could be covered by warnings, potentially tarnishing the image of Indian food globally.
Effectiveness and business impact
Health and Consumer Advocates
Clear front-of-pack symbols and artificial sweetener warnings are presented as stronger tools for informing consumers about food contents.
Food Industry
The food and drinks industry has argued that warning labels are ineffective and could harm a large, fast-growing market.
Key facts
- Warning threshold
- A red warning symbol would apply when even one of salt, sugar or fat exceeds its limit.
- Implementation timeline
- Regulations are expected to be issued and finalized in around four months.
- Company transition period
- Food businesses would have a 365-day voluntary implementation period.
- Artificial sweetener wording
- The proposed front-of-pack statement is "CONTAIN NON CALORIC SWEETENER."
- Earlier proposal
- The previous plan would have required warnings only when two ingredients exceeded their thresholds.
- Industry concern
- The All India Food Processors' Association says many popular products could receive warnings and suffer reputational damage.
Quotes
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
India’s food-safety regulator, which proposed the revised labeling rules
“FSSAI proposes to adopt a single-phase approach ... Furthermore, where only one nutrient of concern is present, the corresponding nutrient shall be indicated in the hexagon.”
telegraphindia.com
“There shall be voluntary implementation period of 365 days.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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