The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a single-phase rollout of front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FoPL) for packaged foods with a red hexagon on a white square background would be displayed on the front of the pack as a warning label. It aimed at helping consumers identify products that are high in salt, sugar or fat at a glance.
The proposed system is intended to make nutritional information more visible and easier to understand, particularly when consumers are comparing packaged food products. The warning label would provide a quick visual indication of products containing high levels of nutrients of concern, potentially influencing purchasing decisions.
The proposal was outlined in an affidavit filed by FSSAI in compliance with the Supreme Court’s direction seeking clear timelines for implementing front-of-pack warning labels.
The regulator will identify the nutrient or nutrients of concern on the front of food packs, with the aim of giving consumers clearer information at the point of purchase.
FSSAI said it would require approximately four months to issue and finalise the draft regulations, after following the consultation and other regulatory processes prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, rules and regulations.
FSSAI has proposed a red hexagon with a white square-shaped background for the FoPL format, drawing similarities with the format adopted by Canada, according to the filing.
Within a single hexagon:
The proposed warning would apply even when only one nutrient of concern exceeds the prescribed threshold. In such cases, the corresponding nutrient would be indicated inside the hexagon.
Where two or three nutrients cross the prescribed thresholds, the applicable nutrients would be mentioned together within a single hexagon.
“Furthermore, where only one nutrient of concern is present, the corresponding nutrient shall be indicated in the hexagon. Where two or three nutrients of concern are present, the applicable two or three nutrients shall also be indicated within a single hexagon, thereby providing clear and specific information to consumers,” FSSAI said.
It further said that food products high in any one of the nutrients of concern would be covered, rather than restricting the warning system only to products high in two or more nutrients.
“In the case of a single nutrient, it will be represented inside the hexagon. However, where more than one nutrient of concern exceeds the prescribed threshold, the same shall be indicated in a single hexagon while mentioning two or three nutrients of concern,” the filing said.
The proposed framework is expected to undergo public and industry consultation before the regulations are finalised.
FSSAI said approximately four months would be required for issuing and finalising the draft regulations under the regulatory process prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Act, rules and regulations.
This is an issue that Times Now Digital’s “E-Comms Hiding Health Info” campaign has been highlighting and reporting. Whether it is consumer complaints, what health experts and legal experts believe or the measures the FSSAI has taken so far. The campaign has highlighted how India’s quick commerce and e-commerce boom cannot undermine consumers’ right to information and how consumer awareness and transparency is critical going forward.
