The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), an autonomous statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, is planning to adopt a “health star rating” system to guide consumers towards healthier food choices. The proposed system has been criticized by 40 health experts claiming it to be unproductive in altering buyer’s behaviour as it is not firmly rooted in evidence.
Background and Evolution of FOPL in India
Front of Package Labelling (FOPL) was first recommended in India in 2014 by an expert committee constituted by FSSAI in 2013. In 2019, FSSAI issued a draft notification mandating colour-coded labels on food items under the Food Safety Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations. Later on in December 2019, it decoupled FOPL from general labelling regulations. In February 2022, the FSSAI decided to incorporate the “health-star rating system” in its draft regulations for FOPL.
Understanding the Health Star Rating (HSR) System
The prospective HSR system assigns a rating of half a star to five stars to a product based on its salt, sugar, and fat content. The unique rating will be displayed at the front of the package. Such an initiative is considered a driving force for consumers to opt for healthier food options, particularly in India, which is burdened with lifestyle diseases.
Decoding Front-of-Pack (FoP) Labelling System
Internationally, FoP labelling system is recognized as one of the best practices to encourage consumers to make healthier food decisions. It operates similarly to how cigarette packets are labelled with images to discourage consumption. Considering India’s shifting diet patterns towards more processed foods and the burgeoning market, there is an urgent need for FoP labelling. It is expected to combat the rising obesity rates and non-communicable diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Codex Alimentarius Commission endorse FoP labels as simplified, often graphic information about the nutritional quality or content of products.
Why a Health Rating System for Food is Essential
Implementing a FOPL system can reduce healthcare costs by encouraging positive consumer behaviour towards healthier food choices. Countries like Chile and Brazil have seen successful results with ‘high-in’ warning labels reducing consumption of unhealthy, ultra-processed foods and beverages. For India, front-of-package warning labelling is a part of a comprehensive strategy intending to promote a healthier lifestyle. The system enables consumers to identify high sugar, sodium, saturated fats, trans fats, and total fats products associated with Non-Communicable Diseases.
Concerns Associated with the Proposed System
The proposed system has faced criticism for potentially masking the adverse effects of high fat, salt, and sugar content in food due to ‘positive nutrients’. Moreover, the labelling format seems to target only literate and nutritionally informed individuals, leaving out a significant portion of the population. There are also concerns that the HSR system could lead to a “health halo” effect, possibly confusing consumers into mistakenly interpreting stars as product endorsements.
The Way Forward
Given the literacy rates in India, the adoption of pictorial representation is advised for better engagement and understanding. Front-of-pack labelling could benefit more if it employs symbols, food images, logos, and health benefit indicators. The mandatory front of pack labelling should be backed by robust research and developed in a format that is accessible and acceptable to all. The choice of label should also be free from commercial interests and based on public health interest and sound science.
