The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved a proposal to display nutritional information regarding Total Sugar, Salt, and Saturated Fat in bold letters and increased font size on labels of packaged food items. The decision to approve the amendment in the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 regarding Nutritional information labeling was taken in the 44th meeting of the Food Authority.
The meeting was chaired by FSSAI Chairperson, Apurva Chandra. Union Health Ministry said that the amendment aims to empower consumers to better understand, the nutritional value of the product they are consuming and make healthier decisions.
The Ministry added that the draft notification for the said amendment would now be put in the public domain for inviting suggestions and objections. Along with empowering consumers to 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.
“Along with empowering consumers to 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.
Prioritizing clear and distinguishable labeling requirements will help in the global effort to combat NCDs.
FSSAI noted that it has been issuing advisories to prevent false and misleading claims, including advisories to e-commerce websites to remove the term ‘Health Drink,’ which is not defined or standardized under the FSS Act 2006 or related rules/regulations.
SOURCE: https://www.newsonair.gov.in/