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The food regulator is considering introducing a front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) system that would allow consumers to identify products high in nutrients associated with health concerns more easily while shopping.
The proposed system is reportedly being examined along the lines of the pictorial warning approach used in Canada, under which prominent symbols on food packaging alert consumers when a product contains excessive levels of specified nutrients.
Different foods may have different thresholds
One of the key issues under discussion is how to determine what qualifies as high fat, sugar and salt (HFSS). Rather than applying a single benchmark of 100 grams to every packaged food, FSSAI is considering dividing products into five categories or bands based on their typical serving sizes. This could mean that the threshold for an HFSS warning would differ depending on the type of food.
For example, a small quantity of pickle may be consumed as an accompaniment, while buttermilk is generally consumed in a substantially larger serving. Under the approach being examined, pickle could potentially be assessed on a 5-gram serving, whereas buttermilk could be assessed on a 100-gram serving.
The objective is to make the assessment more representative of how different foods are actually consumed rather than treating all products in the same way.
What could appear on food packets?
If the proposal moves forward, consumers could see a prominent symbol or warning on the front of a package when its levels of nutrients such as sugar, salt or saturated fat cross the prescribed threshold.
Such a system could make nutritional information easier to understand at a glance, particularly for consumers who may not have the time or expertise to interpret detailed nutrition tables printed on the back of packages.
Why the proposal matters
Front-of-pack labelling has been debated in India for several years as concerns grow over the nutritional quality of processed and packaged foods.
Supporters argue that a simple front-of-pack warning could help consumers make more informed choices and encourage manufacturers to reformulate products to reduce excessive levels of salt, sugar or unhealthy fats.
The food industry, however, has previously raised concerns about how HFSS foods should be defined, how thresholds should be calculated and whether the same criteria can fairly apply to products with very different serving patterns. Latest discussions indicate that serving size and food category could become important factors in determining whether a warning is required.
Decision still under consideration
Proposed framework is still under discussion, and the final form of the FOPNL system, including nutrient thresholds, food categories, serving sizes and the design of warnings, will depend on the regulatory process. If adopted, the system could significantly change how packaged food products communicate nutritional risks to consumers - shifting important information from the back of the packet to a more visible position on the front.
Keywords: FSSAI, front-of-pack nutrition labelling, HFSS foods, salt sugar fat warning, packaged food India, food safety, Citizen News Puttur