FSSAI Proposes Bold, Larger Fonts for Nutritional Information on Food Packets

Overview

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved a proposal to display nutritional information on labels of packaged foods that contain total sugar, salt, and saturated fat in bold letters and larger font size. This decision, made in the 44th meeting of the Food Authority, aims to enhance consumer awareness and promote healthier food choices.

Short Summary

• The FSSAI has approved new amendment requiring total sugar, salt, and saturated fat content to be displayed in bold and larger font on packaged food labels.
• The amendment aims to help consumers make healthier food choices and address rising instances of non-communicable diseases through better understanding of nutritional values.
• A draft notification will be shared for public feedback, alongside ongoing efforts to prevent misleading claims in food labelling.

Introduction

In recent years, clear nutritional information on food packaging has become crucial globally. As health concerns about diet rise, especially with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like obesity and diabetes, it’s vital for people to make informed food choices. To address this, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed changes to food labelling rules to make information about total sugar, salt, and saturated fat more visible. This initiative aims to enhance consumer awareness and promote a healthier lifestyle.

Approval of Nutritional Labelling Amendment

The FSSAI has taken a major step by approving a proposal to improve nutritional labelling on packaged foods. During a recent meeting, it was decided that food labelling for total sugar, salt, and saturated fat content in a package must be displayed in bold and larger font. This change will allow consumers to quickly and easily assess the nutritional quality of products, leading to a more informed shopping experience.

 

Fig. 1: Benefit of the Latest Nutritional Labelling Amendment

Empowering Consumers for Healthier Choices

The main goal of this amendment is to help consumers make healthier dietary choices. By highlighting key nutritional information, the initiative encourages people to engage in their health management. Clear labels enable consumers to compare products effectively, understand their dietary intake, and choose healthier options. This awareness is expected to foster better eating habits, leading to improved public health outcomes.

Eventually, the FSSAI aims to encourage health-consciousness by allowing consumers to make informed food choices.

Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases

These new labelling requirements also address the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India and worldwide. Conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are often linked to poor diet. By promoting clear nutritional information, the FSSAI hopes to improve consumer choices and lower the risk of these conditions.

This effort aligns with global strategies to combat NCDs, emphasizing the importance of better food choices and patient education.

Preventing Misleading Claims in the Food Industry

In addition to improving labels, the FSSAI is committed to protecting consumers from misleading marketing practices in the food industry. They regularly issue advisories to ensure that terms like “Health Drink,” which lack clear definitions, are not misused.

Other directives include banning misleading labels on products like reconstituted fruit juices. By enforcing these guidelines, the FSSAI aims to ensure honesty in food marketing, helping consumers make informed choices based on accurate information and building trust in the food industry.

A table providing the key summary of all points is as follows:

Section	Details
Approval of Nutritional Labelling Amendment	● Information on total sugar, salt, and saturated fat should be presented in bold and a larger font size. ● Consumers can quickly evaluate the nutritional value of products, resulting in a more informed shopping experience. ● Helps consumers make informed choices for their health needs.
Empowering Consumers for Healthier Choices	● Helps consumers make informed choices and understand their diet, promoting better health. ● Clear labelling helps consumers compare products and understand their dietary intake. ● Encourages health-conscious shopping habits, leading to improved public health outcomes over time.
Addressing NCDs	● Addresses the rise of NCDs linked to poor dietary choices. ● Aims to reduce the risks of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease through better nutritional awareness. ● Aligns with global public health strategies to promote prevention through education and healthier food options.
Preventing Misleading Claims in the Food Industry	● FSSAI issues advisories to prevent misleading marketing practices. ● Prohibits vague terms like “Health Drink” without clear definitions. ● Ensures honesty in food marketing, helping consumers make informed choices and fostering trust in the food industry.

Conclusion

The recent approval by the FSSAI to enhance the visibility of nutritional information on packaged food labels marks a significant step towards empowering consumers in making informed dietary choices.

By displaying total sugar, salt, and saturated fat content in bold letters and larger font sizes on packaged food labels, this amendment aims to improve public understanding of nutrition and promote a healthier lifestyle. Additionally, it is a proactive measure in addressing the growing concern of NCDs in India.

This initiative not only reflects a commitment to public health but also reinforces the importance of transparency and accuracy in food labelling. As the draft notification is opened for public feedback, it underscores the collaborative approach of FSSAI with various stakeholders to foster a healthier society.

Ultimately, these changes are poised to contribute positively to the overall well-being of consumers, paving the way for a more health-conscious population.

References

FSSAI approves proposal to display nutritional information labelling of total sugar, salt and saturated fat in bold letters and bigger font size in 44th meeting of Food Authority [Internet]. Pib.gov.in. 2024.
Available from: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2031260