The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has given the green light to a proposal mandating the display of nutritional information in bold letters and increased font size on packaged food labels. This significant amendment in the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, aims to empower consumers with better knowledge about the nutritional content of their food, thus enabling them to make healthier choices.
The decision was taken during the 44th meeting of the Food Authority, chaired by Shri Apurva Chandra, Chairperson of FSSAI. The amendment will now be put forth as a draft notification to invite public suggestions and objections.
The new regulation stipulates that the per serve percentage contribution to Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for total sugar, total saturated fat, and sodium content must be displayed in bold letters. This requirement is detailed in Regulation 2 (v) and 5(3) of the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, which specify the serving size and nutritional information on food product labels.
This move is part of a broader effort to combat the rising prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and promote public health. By prioritizing clear and distinguishable labelling requirements, FSSAI aims to contribute to global efforts in addressing NCDs.
In addition to this amendment, FSSAI has been vigilant in preventing false and misleading claims by Food Business Operators (FBOs). Recent advisories include directives to e-commerce websites to remove the term ‘Health Drink,’ which is not defined under the FSS Act 2006, and mandating FBOs to eliminate claims of ‘100% fruit juices’ from labels and advertisements of reconstituted fruit juices. Other advisories cover the use of terms like wheat flour/refined wheat flour and the marketing of ORS with prefixes or suffixes, among others.
The meeting saw participation from senior officials of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Law and Justice, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, along with representatives from states and union territories. Industry associations, consumer organizations, research institutes, and farmers’ organizations also attended the meeting.
The FSSAI’s proactive steps in enhancing food labelling transparency are expected to empower consumers and foster healthier dietary habits across the country.