FSSAI mandated bold letters labelling of salt, sugar, fat on packaged food items

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved modifications to the nutritional information labeling on packaged food items, which is a major step towards raising consumer knowledge. The total amount of salt, sugar, and saturated fat content must now be shown on all packaged food labels in strong letters with higher font sizes, according to an announcement made by the FSSAI on Saturday.

The new mandate supersedes the previously proposed Front of Package Labelling (FoPL) regulations, which had faced significant resistance from food companies. According to the amendments, the per-serve percentage contribution to Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for total sugar, total saturated fat, and sodium content will be highlighted in bold letters.

New Labeling Requirements

Under the new regulation, food companies must display information about total sugar, salt, and saturated fat in bold letters and larger font sizes on the labels of packaged food items. This is a significant shift from the current practice where nutrient information is printed on the back of the packaging. The bold and enlarged display aims to make it easier for consumers to understand the nutritional content of the foods they purchase, thereby aiding them in making healthier choices.

In an official statement, FSSAI said it has approved “a proposal to display nutritional information regarding total sugar, salt, and saturated fat in bold letters and relatively increased font size on labels of packaged food items”, reports PTI. To ensure that the new regulations are thorough and take into account input from many parties involved in the food business, FSSAI will release a draft notification and request comments from stakeholders before implementing this change. The idea will be improved, and its easy adoption will be facilitated by this consultation process.

Public Consultation and Implementation

The FSSAI has announced that the draft notification for this amendment will be put in the public domain to invite suggestions and objections. This step ensures that stakeholders, including consumers, food companies, and health organizations, have an opportunity to provide feedback on the new regulation.

“The amendment aims to empower consumers to better understand the nutritional value of the product they are consuming and make healthier decisions,” the regulator was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. “Along with empowering consumers make healthier choices, the amendment would also contribute towards efforts to combat the rise of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and promote public health and well-being,” the statement said.

The development of clear and distinguishable labelling requirements is a priority in the global effort to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

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