Warning labels better than health star ratings on packaged food products, says experts

RAIPUR: Adoption of clear warning labels on packaged foods to help consumers make healthier choices pointing out that warning labels are better than health star ratings on packaged foods.



Minister of Food, Civil supplies and consumer protection

Amarjeet Bhagat

during the inauguration of the multi-stake holder consultation on ‘

Front of package labelling

’ said, “India is already facing burden of Obesity, heart diseases and diabetes we should not loose anu more time and must choose what is best for the health of Indians. Experts, including top doctors have confirmed that clear warning labels will be the best possible measure to guide consumers and protect them from making harmful food choices.”

During the occasion. Some experts also spoke, diet related to the non communicable diseases are on the rise in the country and is set to become the obesity and diabetes capital of the world. Mentioning about adopting warning labels which alerts a consumer to negative nutrients such as sugar, salt and fats in packaged foods.

Data shows that the packaged food industry of India has grown exponentially in the last 10 years and is expected to double in the coming years. A front-of-pack label regulation is considered an important policy measure to regulate the quantity of harmful ingredients that can be present in these products and by letting the consumers make the right choice.

State Parliamentary Secretary

Vikas Upadhyay

, mentioned “India cannot fall behind in embracing this transformative policy measure and mandating standards that are best for the health of our country. Indian food processing industry should champion the cause of Front of Package Labelling in India.”.

Assistant Commissioner food safety Dr.

Rajesh Shukla

also mentioned strict labeling Regulations as there has been mushrooming of food processing industries across the country and as state level custodians we need to ensure that food companies are abiding by the standards.

Stressing the need to keep ‘nutrition first’, Dr Sadhna Tiwari, eminent health practitioner and Secretary,

Chattisgarh Milestone Welfare Foundation

said, “We are consuming dangerous quantities of packaged foods and in some parts of the country the rise has been very steep. Children and women from rural India and those of migrant workers are particularly vulnerable. The food companies are well aware of this shift and focusing on those markets by making packaged foods easily available and affordable.

Social activist Alka Deshmukh highlighted reformulation to make foods healthier does not impact profit. It makes food and beverages healthier and changes consumer preferences as well. Emphasizing the need for a scientific approach when it came to determining the type of label that should be adopted.

Representatives of Chhattisgarh’s food industry, fully recognized the need for such measures and affirmed their commitment towards healthy food pointing out that world over the food industry is taking steps to ensure that their products are safe and healthy for the consumers. If the government decides to adopt warning labels, we are prepared to go along with that decision. Studies have indicated that reformulation to make food and beverages healthier does not impact profit nor does it lead to job losses, they added.