Experts call for caution in the new food labelling on the World Heart Day
Lucknow, 28th September: Foos Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently published, however much awaited Front of Packaging Labelling (FOPL) regulations, a star rating food label based has raised concerns about consumers right to make healthy choices. Experts say, food labelling with both negative and positive nutrients ought to confuse consumers rather than help them make conscious decisions.
While there are a number of designs to choose from – Warning Labels, Nutri-score, Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) and Health Star Rating (HSR), research and consumer surveys indicate that Warning Labels outperform all other labels in their ability to help consumers make healthy choices. Several studies in India, conducted by apex medical and research institutes, have found that people prefer clear warning labels that indicate if products are high in unhealthy ingredients.
India has witnessed a spiralling boom in the processed and packaged food and beverage industry. Higher consumption of these foods which are usually high in salt, sugar and saturated fats is associated with India’s rising disease burden. More than 5.8 million Indians die every year from Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Many if not all of these deadly diseases, although hard to treat, can be prevented by supporting a healthier food system.
A mandatory warning on the front-of-pack on foods and beverages is considered an effective policy solution for a healthier population.
Elaborating on the issue, Lenin Raghuvanshi from the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) said, “Given the rising cases of NCDs in the country particularly among children and youths, it is high time that the country focuses on nutritional labelling that highlights the ‘warning label’ as the best course of action for consumers. We hope that suggestions from public health experts and civil society would be considered.”
“Research shows that labels which only highlight nutrients of concern, ie, warning labels, work best to safeguard public health. These types of simple-to-read food labels can result in immediate public health benefits – all the more reason why India, which accounts for 25% of the global burden of heart disease, would most benefit from simple warnings that alert people easily,” he added.
Experts also demand that FSSAI and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) should conduct public consultations in each state and one in each UT so that adequate awareness is created around the new regulations.
Dr Yuvraj Singh, Consultant Physician, SSPM Hospital, “Most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by addressing behavioural risk factors such as avoiding ultra-process food laden with high fat, salt and sugar and tobacco use, along with doing regular exercise and living an active life.”
