Although the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) introduced the Draft Food Safety And Standards (Labelling And Display) Regulation in 2018, there remains an absence of a clear Front-of-Pack (FoP) Labelling System in India. This system is critical in warning consumers about high levels of fat, salt, and sugar in processed foods. Despite numerous expert panel recommendations and regulations, this vital system is still not in place.
Understanding the Front-of-Pack (FoP) Labelling System
One of the globally recognized best practices for encouraging healthy food choices is the FoP labelling system. This system serves a similar function as the images on cigarette packets designed to discourage consumption. Given India’s dietary shift towards increased consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods and the growing market, the need for a FoP labelling system for India is evident. It could be instrumental in combating the rising rates of obesity and non-communicable diseases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes FoP labels as nutrition labelling systems that appear on the front of food packages within the primary field of vision. These labels provide simple, often graphic information about the nutritional content or quality of products and complement the detailed nutrient declarations on the back of food packages.
According to the international food standards body, the Codex Alimentarius Commission, established by WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), “FoP labelling is designed to assist in interpreting nutrient declarations.”
About the Draft Food Safety And Standards (Labelling And Display) Regulations
These regulations require color-coded labels on food items. The introduction of this draft regulation aims to encourage consumers to make healthier food choices by informing them about the product’s ingredients. All packaged food items will need to display the total number of calories, amounts of saturated and trans fats, salt, and added sugar, and the proportion of daily energy needs fulfilled by the item.
FSSAI has also changed the symbol for vegetarian food from a green circle to a green triangle, making it easier for color-blind individuals to distinguish it from the brown circle representing non-vegetarian food. The proposed regulation states that if per serving, the total amounts of calories, fats, trans-fats, sugar, and sodium exceed the established limits, they will be indicated in red color.
Issues Regarding these Regulations
Several organizations have raised concerns regarding ‘positive nutrients’ masking the negative impact of high fat, salt and sugar contents in food. These can result in misleading consumers as the industry could utilize them to promote their products.
The FoP label also considers ‘positive nutrients,’ including proteins, nuts, fruits, and vegetables to promote wholesome foods. However, this labeling format seems to target only literate and nutritionally aware individuals, neglecting those with limited general and nutritional literacy, making understanding the nutrient information difficult.
Moreover, Indian food industries have expressed concerns about the proposed format, especially using the color red, which indicates danger and may deter consumers from purchasing their products.
Looking Towards the Future
As almost a quarter of the Indian population is illiterate, a FoP labeling system incorporating pictorial representation would facilitate better comprehension and engagement. Symbol-based labels featuring food images, logos, and health benefits could be advantageous for front-of-pack labelling in India.
Before implementing mandatory front of pack labelling, extensive research is needed to develop a format that is understandable and acceptable to all.
