FSSAI Draft Regulation on FOPL

FSSAI Draft Regulation on FOPL

FSSAI Draft Regulation on FOPL

On 13th September 2022, The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued draft regulations FSS (Labelling and Display) Amendment Regulations, 2022. The FSSAI has proposed Star Ratings based on nutritional values termed as ‘Indian Nutrition Rating’ (INR) which rates the overall nutritional profile for packaged food by assigning ½ star (least healthy) to 5 stars (healthiest). According to the regulation, more stars indicate that the food product is better positioned to provide for daily human need of nutrients.

Read the regulation here

Important points of the Draft Regulation that are contentious

 Section 1 (2) – Compliance shall be voluntary until a period of 48 months from the date of final notification of these regulations and mandatory thereafter.

Section 2 (1) (ia). FOPNL is a form of supplementary nutrition information that presents simplified nutrition information on the front-of-pack of pre-packaged foods. It can include symbols/graphics, text or a combination thereof that provide information on the overall nutritional value of the food and/or on nutrients included in the FOPNL

Section 2 (2) (a). (a) in sub-regulation (2), after clause (b), the following proviso shall be inserted, namely, – “provided that the percentage of Fruits, Vegetable, Nuts, Legumes & Millets, if present in the food product, shall be declared”.

  1. (2) (b)

The INR system rates the overall nutritional profile for packaged food by assigning it a rating from ½ star (least healthy) to 5 stars (healthiest). More stars indicate that the food product is better positioned to provide for daily human need of nutrients.

Schedule III. Table 1

Baseline reference values for Food risk factors and minimum percentage of positive factor per 100 gm or 100 ml on ‘as sold’ basis.

Objections or suggestions were invited by FSSAI after the publication of the draft regulation. Thousands of comments were submitted by experts, consumers, students and activists across India. Some of the comments submitted by experts, consumers and activists are given below:

 Comment submitted by Consumer VOICE | Comments submitted by students | Comment submitted by women | Comment submitted by Nutritionists

 FOPL draft regulation in news

Op-ed of Ashim Sanyal

The front of pack labelling draft regulation is not a healthy affair at all for consumers

TOI Editorial

Be Punchy on Munchy

Industry Consultation Roundtable Discussion – Front of Pack Labeling – Role of the Industry

Industry Consultation Roundtable Discussion – Front of Pack Labeling – Role of the Industry

Industry Consultation Roundtable Discussion – Front of Pack Labeling – Role of the Industry

India has the ill-fated title of the diabetes capital of the world with the figure expected to rise to an alarming mark of 69.9 million by 2025 and 80 million by 2030. With 1 in every 4 persons obese according to NFHS 5, early adoption of right food labels will help consumers make healthy food choices. The ultra-processed food sale in India is also witnessing an exponential growth and experts are worried about its impact on the rising prevalence of NCDs in India. 

One of the most effective tools to reduce consumption of HFSS foods is through mandatory warning lables on food packets.  Simple warnings can help consumers make informed choices and be a first step towards a healthy food system.  Keeping this aspect of improving health eco systems in India, Consumer VOICE organized 6 roundtable discussions with state partners across India.

Rajkot, Gujarat

At an event organized in Rajkot, Gujarat on 16th July, 2022 by Rajkot Saher Jilla Grahak Suraksha Mandal in association with Consumer VOICE, New Delhi, industry leaders, doctors and government officials from Gujarat called for simple, mandatory and interpretive front of pack labels on food and beverages.

Representatives of popular edible oil, FMCG, confectionary, snacks and sweets like recognized the need for effective measures in curbing the rising incidence of NCDs in the state. Some of the important names from the industry who participated in the workshop included Shri Samirbhai Shah, MD, Rajmoti Oil, Shri Vinodbhai Vyas, MD Rajkot District Cooperative Milk Products Union Limited Rajkot, Shri Chandubhai Patel, Balaji Wafers, Shri Pardipbhai Dhadhai, Gopal Snacks. Besides the industry experts, the event also witnessed a large gathering of doctors including Dr Vallabhbhai Kathiria,  Dr Digvijaysinh Jadeja, Dr VK Gupta and Dr RS Trivedi.

Front-of-pack food labelling is considered to be a powerful and simple tool for discouraging excessive consumption of processed foods. Shri Ashim Sanyal, from Consumer VOICE, New Delhi said that “Front-of-Pack warning labelling represents a key component of a comprehensive strategy to promote healthier lives. Every year more than 5.8 million Indians die of NCDs and most of these fatal diseases could be prevented by changing dietary habits and transforming the food industry.”

“Consumption of ultra-processed foods and packaged foods is in the rise in Gujarat and irrespective of the socio economic background, it is putting the lives of our children and youth at peril. We can improve the situation by letting the consumers make the right choice with a simple warning label on the front of food packets for unhealthy foods.” concludes Shri Ramjibhai Mavani, Ex MP and Founder President, Rajkot Saher Jilla Grahak Suraksha Mandal.

Lucknow, UP

In Lucknow, UP, the event was organized on 18th July, at Hotel Comfort Inn, Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar by Consumer Guild in association with Consumer VOICE. Representatives of popular edible oil, FMCG, confectionary, snacks and sweets like recognized the need for effective measures in curbing the rising incidence of NCDs in the state. Some of the participants in the event titled Front of Pack Labeling – Role of the Industry” included Manish Agarwal – Assocham, DP Singh – Indo American Chamber of Commerce , Ramesh malhotra- Ritz, Abhitosh Asthana of Pure Gonics and SP Singh Assistant Commissioner, UP Food Safety and Drug Administration and Chief Food Safety officer of same department participated.

Rinki Sharma from Consumer VOICE who also graced the occasion said that the lives of our children and youth at peril because of high consumption of HFSS foods and simple warning labels can ease the situation.

Sh. Abhishek Srivastava, Chairman- Consumer Guild, Lucknow spoke about the rise in NCDs in the State of Uttar Pradesh and the need reduce consumption of unhealthy packaged foods through simple and mandatory warning labels.

Kolkata, West Bengal

Kolkata

The event in West Bengal, Kolkata was organised by Honcho Tech For Good Foundation, Kolkata in association with Consumer VOICE, New Delhi, industry leaders, doctors and government officials from West Bengal called for simple, mandatory and interpretive front of pack labels on food and beverages. Simple warnings can help consumers make informed choices and be a first step towards a healthy food system.

Dr Sadajit Banerjee, MD, Medicine said, ”High burden of diabetes, obesity, stroke and cardiovascular diseases are linked to the increased consumption of unhealthy packaged foods that are High in Salt, Sugar and Fats that are readily available in the market.”

Representatives of popular edible oil, FMCG, confectionary, snacks and sweets like (PS Brand Oil, Ruby Food Products Pvt. Ltd., Pran Foods Ltd., Sugar and Spice, Bapuji Cake Pvt. Ltd.) recognized the need for effective measures in curbing the rising incidence of NCDs in the state. As important stakeholders for a healthy nation, they lent their support to a people friendly FOPL. Kaushik Nag of Pran Foods Ltd. said that ”We are committed in ensuring healthy food to our consumers and will take necessary steps as guided by FSSAI and the scientific community in ensuring that our products meet global standards.”

”A key step in this is to ensure that ingredients that like salt, sugar, and fats are used within permissible global limits.” said Indranil Dasgupta, Director – Social Initiatives, Honcho Tech For Good Foundation.

Kolkata

Front-of-pack food labelling is considered to be a powerful and simple tool for discouraging excessive consumption of processed foods. Nilanjana Bose, Project – Head from Consumer VOICE, New Delhi said that ”Front-of-Pack warning labelling represents a key component of a comprehensive strategy to promote healthier lives. Every year more than 5.8 million Indians die of NCDs and most of these fatal diseases could be prevented by changing dietary habits and transforming the food industry.”

Recognizing the importance of measures like high taxes on sugary foods and Front of pack labels, Luna Chatterjee, Brand Strategist, Partner Curator CCi’s, Foodpreneur said that ” We are taking baby steps towards labelling and having FOPL will work wonders for the industry. It will not only help in improving public awareness regarding food ingredients but also deter consumers from consuming unhealthy and harmful food. ”

Guwahati, Assam

The industry roundtable discussion was organized in Guwahati by Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum, Assam in association with Consumer VOICE, New Delhi.

Representatives of popular edible oil, FMCG, confectionary, snacks and sweets like Repose, Sitajakhala, Nivaz recognized the need for effective measures in curbing the rising incidence of NCDs in the state. As important stakeholders for a healthy nation, they lent their support to a people friendly FOPL.

Swapan Nath, General Manager, REPOSE said that “We are committed in ensuring healthy food to our consumers and will take necessary steps as guided by FSSAI and the scientific community in ensuring that our products meet global standards.” “A key step in this is to ensure that ingredients that like salt, sugar, and fats are used within permissible global limits’ Dr. Birendra Kumar Das, Chairman, NIVAZ said.

Front-of-pack food labeling is considered to be a powerful and simple tool for discouraging excessive consumption of processed foods. Nilanjana Bose from Consumer VOICE, New Delhi said that “Front-of-Pack warning labeling represents a key component of a comprehensive strategy to promote healthier lives. Every year more than 5.8 million Indians die of NCDs and most of these fatal diseases could be prevented by changing dietary habits and transforming the food industry.”

“Consumption of ultra-processed foods and packaged foods is in the rise in Assam and irrespective of the socio economic background, it is putting the lives of our children and youth at peril. We can improve the situation by letting the consumers make the right choice with a simple warning label on the front of food packets for unhealthy foods” said Advocate Ajoy Hazarika, Secretary, Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum, Assam .

Recognizing the importance of measures like high taxes on sugary foods and Front of pack labels, Hrishikesh Acharyya, Managing Director, SITAJAKHALA said that “We welcome the idea of a strong FOPL that will help consumers quickly understand and identify healthy foods. Global evidence points to warning labels having immediate health benefits but also being favorable to the industry. There is affordable technology and market acceptance for food industry to ensure that food and beverages are healthier as per global standards.” Speaking at the event, Samiran Baruah, Designated Officer and Anupam Gogoi, Food Analyst, Commissionerate of Food Safety, Govt. of Assam said, “We will ensure that food companies are abiding by the standards which will improve the health of consumers of the state. “

Indore, MP

A  Roundtable consultation on ‘Front of Pack Labelling – Role of the Industry’ was organised by Consumer VOICE in partnership with Indore based AAS and Bhopal Based National Centre for Human Settlements & Environment (NCHSE) at Indore on 25th July 2022.

Shri Hariram Mujalda, Joint Director, Industries, ZIO-Indore was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

Mr. Avinash Shrivastava, Dy Director, NCHSE welcomed the guests and the participants and appraised the participants about the programme.

Ms. Rinki Sharma, Project Head, Consumer VOICE while sensitizing the participants especially the Industry Managers on the issue of NCD burden and its causes in India, said that “Amidst the rising concerns over obesity and other non-communicable diseases (NCD) ailments in our country, it becomes imperative for consumers to be a stakeholder in deciding what to eat and what is to be avoided. Front-of-Pack warning labeling represents a key component of a comprehensive strategy to promote healthier lives. It enables consumers to identify in a quick, clear and effective way, products high in salt, sugar and fats. She also highlighted that every year more than 58 lakh Indians die of NCDs and most of these fatal diseases could be prevented by changing dietary habits and transforming the food industry. She produced successful examples of FOPL adopted by other countries.  She further elaborated upon ongoing process of development of FOPL in the country and reasoned out why a warning label indicating “High in” sign of particular nutrient is required for the protection of interest of the consumers and how the industry could facilitate it.

Dr. Pradip Nandi, DG, NCHSE while introducing the subject said that in India Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and obesity are of growing concern.  In 2016 India reported 63% of total deaths due to NCDs, of which 27% were attributed to Cardiovascular disease (CVD). One of the main reasons of such NCD burden is the consumption of unhealthy foods that are high in fat, salt or sugar and are readily available in the market.  He also stressed the importance of the threshold level of daily intake of fat, salt and sugar as recommended by WHO and a FOPL on the packaged food indicating warning for any nutrients which are more than the permissible limits.

The Chief Guest Shri Mujalda in his address said that India is facing a daunting task of minimizing the Non-communicable disease (NCD) burden due to consumption of unhealthy foods, which are high in Fat, Sugar and Salt. He stressed that it is important that packaged foods should clearly indicate levels of these nutrients to provide the consumers an opportunity to choose the healthy food items. He further said that this could be achieved by developing a consumer friendly FOPL, for which Industries should come forward and expressed their views. He called upon the industry managers to ensure that the levels of ingredients like salt, sugar and fats in their products are within permissible global limits. He expressed hope that industry would abide by the regulations about the FOPL to safe guard consumer interest. He also said the Industries Department is willing to extend all possible support to the Food industry implement the regulation when it is finalized.

Representatives of popular edible oil, FMCG, confectionary, snacks and sweets like Gokul ke Namkin, Amitabh Business Corporation, Moksha Confectionary Pvt Ltd, Raj Packaging, Agarwal Namkin, Om Namkin, Shree Khrishna Enterprises, Soni Food, Jaiswal Enterprises etc participated in the Roundtable Discussion and expressed their views about FOPL/Warning Label. In general Industry Managers appreciated the need for FOPL to ensure effective measures in curbing the rising incidence of NCDs in the state. As important stakeholders for a healthy nation, they lent their support for a people friendly FOPL. Shri Amitabh Singhal of Amitabh Business Corporation said that “We are committed in ensuring healthy food to our consumers and will take necessary steps as guided by FSSAI /Government.”

Chandigarh

The Industry Consultation Round Table discussion in Chandigarh was held on 25th July by Citizens Awareness Group in association with Consumer VOICE, New Delhi. Industry leaders, doctors and government officials from the region called for simple, mandatory and interpretive front of pack labels on food and beverages. Simple warnings can help consumers make informed choices and be a first step towards a healthy food system.

Recognizing the importance of measures like high taxes on sugary foods and Front of pack labels, Sanyal said that “We welcome the idea of a strong FOPL that will help consumers quickly understand and identify healthy foods. Global evidence points to warning labels having immediate health benefits but also being favorable to the industry. There is affordable technology and market acceptance for the food industry to ensure that food and beverages are healthier as per global standards.”

Speaking at the event, Sukhwinder Singh from the Food Safety Department said, “We will ensure that food companies are abiding by the standards which will improve the health of consumers of the state.”

“Consumption of ultra-processed foods and packaged foods is on the rise in Chandigarh and irrespective of the socio economic background, it is putting the lives of our children and youth at peril. We can improve the situation by letting the consumers make the right choice with a simple warning label on the front of food packets for unhealthy foods.” concludes Surinder Verma, Chairman, Consumer Awareness Group.

MP roundtable discussion with MPs on the Importance of Front of Pack Warning Labels to control NCDs

MP roundtable discussion with MPs on the Importance of Front of Pack Warning Labels to control NCDs

MP roundtable discussion with MPs on the Importance of Front of Pack Warning Labels to control NCDs

Consumer VOICE organized a round table discussion with Hon’ble Members of Parliament and senior doctors and consumer activists on 30th March, 2022 at Constitution Club of India, New Delhi on ‘The Importance of Front of Pack Warning Labels to control NCDs’. 
The members were from both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. The meetings itself were fruitful as we were able to sensitize the parliamentarians on the subject which is relatively new and distributed IEC materials and research papers for a background.

 MPs Present in the Discussion

  • Dr Vikas Mahatme, Rajya Sabha
  • Shri Pradeep Gandhi, Ex MP, Lok Sabha
  • Shri P. Bhattacharya, MP, Rajya Sabha

Messages by the MPs

Dr Vikas Mahatme, Rajya Sabha MP present at the occasion said that “One of the possible ways of making a choice between healthy and unhealthy foods is to have front of pack warning labels on food packets, so that consumers are able to identify foods that are High in Salt sugar and Fats. He also stressed that FOPL will work best when it is made mandatory.”

Shri Pradeep Gandhi, Ex MP, Lok Sabha while talking on generating awareness on the health harms of unhealthy packaged foods stresses that “implementation of FOPL which is backed by scientific evidence, should be discussed in the Parliament so that timely regulation of front of pack labels can help in saving hundreds of lives.”

Speaking on the same lines, Shri P. Bhattacharya, MP, Rajya Sabha, agrees that “Front of pack warning labels are very important for preventing non-communicable diseases in India. Consumption of unhealthy packaged foods can be controlled by bringing in the correct science based regulations.”

Messages by Doctors

Dr Umesh Kapil President of the Epidemiological Foundation of India, said that

“FOPL is a very important intervention to educate the masses on the healthy and

unhealthy foods. He also said that “Unfortunately, the industries want very high

cut-offs for their products so that they can make their products tastier, thereby

compromising on the healthiness of the product.”

Prof Harshpal Singh Sachdev, Senior Consultant of Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research said that “If we do not want to give our future generation a lifelong diseases requiring medicines, so we have to make efforts to curb unhealthy consumption of foods. The process should begin from childhood and the best way to do that is to provide warning labels like we have on cigarette packs. A warning label should help a child to discern that this is bad for health.  It’s high time the FSSAI acts on this otherwise we will have problem and agony for our future generation.”

Messages by Consumer Activists

Dr. Arun Gupta, National Convener BPNI said that FOPL guidelines/rules in the right direction has the potential to encourage reformulation of the food products and could save people from big food industry’s aggressive marketing. He opined that this FOPL regulation has to be perfect in terms of the label design, Nutritional Profile Model and must be mandatory. Only then it will impact the NCD control measures.

Mr Ashim Sanyal, CEO, Consumer VOICE, said that “FOPL design cannot be left at the whims and fancies of the industry which is only focusing on their profits. A wrong and voluntary label design will stand in the way of public health safety which is already reeling under great pressure especially after COVID.”

Follow-up action

A letter was drafted on behalf of the MPs by Consumer Rights organisations and the same was mailed to DR Vikas Mahatme to be forwarded to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. The letter briefly points to the need of Warning labels on packaged foods that are High in Salt, Sugar and Fats. It also raises the concern that FSSAI is considering “Health Star Rating” (HSR) as a preferred FOPL among other options in draft regulation which it is not supported by science and cannot identify the unhealthy nutrient (salt/sugar/fat).

Media Follow-up

Video bytes were given by the MPs and the doctors on the importance of FOPL to curb non-communicable diseases or NCDS which are being used in social media.

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 Stakeholders consultation on ‘Front of Pack Warning Labels (FOPL) on Unhealthy Packaged Foods in Lucknow

 Stakeholders consultation on ‘Front of Pack Warning Labels (FOPL) on Unhealthy Packaged Foods in Lucknow

 Stakeholders consultation on ‘Front of Pack Warning Labels (FOPL) on Unhealthy Packaged Foods in Lucknow

Consumer VOICE in associating with Consumer Guild, organized the Stakeholders’ consultation on ‘Front of Pack Warning Labels (FOPL) on Unhealthy Packaged Foods for Consumers in Lucknow, UP on 22nd of March.

Lucknow Workshop

The stage was set with government officials, health and nutrition professionals and consumers, youth, and parents. The session was inaugurated by Shri Abhishek Srivastava, Chairman of Consumer Guild.

It was then taken over by Ms. Ekta Purohit, Manager, Projects, Consumer VOICE, who elaborated on Front of Pack Labels and its importance said that “Amidst the rising concerns over obesity and other non-communicable diseases (NCD) ailments in our country, it becomes imperative for consumers to be a stakeholder in deciding what to eat and what is to be avoided. Front-of-Pack warning labeling represents a key component of a comprehensive strategy to promote healthier lives. It enables consumers to identify in a quick, clear and effective way, products high in salt, sugar and fats.”

Lucknow Workshop

Dr Piyush Gupta, Secretary and CEO of Cancer Aid Society while talking about the harmful effects of packaged foods that are rich in salt, sugar and fats said that they too should have warning labels just like cigarette packets that will help consumers distinguish between healthy and unhealthy food products.

Abhishek Srivasta of Consumer Guild said that, “We can improve the situation by letting the consumers make the right choice with a simple warning label on the front of food packets for unhealthy foods. A front of pack warning label on packaged foods will help consumers identify the products that are high in salt, sugar and fat. FSSAI needs to accept WHO advisory standards set for India for limiting the Nutritional Profiles. Also, in FOPL they have proposed HSR label design which star ratings formula which consumers can never understand. As consumer organization, working at the grass root level we need to emphasize that a simple Warning Label symbol is always better for consumer understanding.”

Lucknow Workshop

Dr. Shalini Srivastava, Senior Dietician at King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, described the FOPL system as necessary to reduce non-communicable diseases. He said that this step will help in averting the menace of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, heart disease and various cancers. These are diseases that are caused especially by the consumption of highly processed packaged foods high in salt, sugar and fat. Warning labels will help people to make healthier choices and even reduce their consumption of these unhealthy foods.

Kolkata | Rajkot | Chandigarh | Shimla | Bhopal | Guwahati | Lucknow

Media Coverage

Stakeholders consultation on ‘Front of Pack Warning Labels (FOPL) on Unhealthy Packaged Foods in Guwahati

Stakeholders consultation on ‘Front of Pack Warning Labels (FOPL) on Unhealthy Packaged Foods in Guwahati

Stakeholders consultation on ‘Front of Pack Warning Labels (FOPL) on Unhealthy Packaged Foods in Guwahati

In Guwahati, Assam, Consumer VOICE in association with Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum, Assam, organized a stakeholders’ consultation on ‘Front of Pack Warning Labels (FOPL) on Unhealthy Packaged Foods for Consumers’ on 21st of March.

Guwahati

Participating in the workshop, Advocate Ajoy Hazarika, Secretary Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum, Assam said, “Consumption of ultra-processed foods and packaged foods is in the rise in Assam and irrespective of the socio economic background, it is putting the lives of our children and youth at peril. We can improve the situation by letting the consumers make the right choice with a simple warning label on the front of food packets for unhealthy foods. A front of pack warning label on packaged foods will help consumers identify the products that are high in salt, sugar and fat. FSSAI needs to accept WHO advisory standards set for India for limiting the Nutritional Profiles. Also, in FOPL they have proposed HSR label design which star ratings formula which consumers can never understand. As consumer organization, working at the grass root level we need to emphasize that a simple Warning Label symbol is always better for consumer understanding.”

Guwahati Workshop

While sensitizing the consumers with a presentation on FOPL and its importance, Rinki Sharma of Consumer VOICE, said that “Amidst the rising concerns over obesity and other non-communicable diseases ailments in our country, it becomes imperative for consumers to be a stakeholder in deciding what to eat and what is to be avoided. Front-of-Pack warning labeling represents a key component of a comprehensive strategy to promote healthier lives. It enables consumers to identify in a quick, clear and effective way, products high in salt, sugar and fats”

Noted Health Expert Dr.R.N.Mazumder , while emphasizing on the harmful effects of packaged foods and rise in NCD burden in the state and in India, stresses diets high in salt, sugar and fats is a major risk factor for these chronic and difficult to treat ailments. “This has to be approached scientifically and the best model to be adopted for a country like India is the WHO SEARO nutrition profile model which has detailed specification about how much salt, sugar and fats are allowed in each type of food item. It is a globally agreed model and we would do well to just adopt it and make a tangible impact on health outcomes.”

Guwahati Workshop

Anupam Gogoi, Food ANALYST & Samiran Baruah, Designated Officer, Commissionate of Food Safety, Govt. of Assam while stressing the need for front of pack labels on packaged foods, has assured that “as state level custodians, we will ensure that food companies are abiding by the standards which will improve the health of consumers of the state. This should be based on global best practices. Since we are responsible for consumer’s health by monitoring the market place, we will always support consumers taking onus of taking precautions on consumption of unhealthy foods by looking at the label which is understood well with the symbol of HIGH IN salt , sugar or saturated fats. FOPL will work best when it is made mandatory immediately and comes under the purview of FSOs and applies to all packaged products, and the label is interpretative, simplistic and readily visible, guided by a strong nutrient profile model.”

Kolkata | Rajkot | Chandigarh | Shimla | Bhopal | Guwahati | Lucknow

Coverage News

⇨ Consumer Organizations Urge For Mandatory Front Of Pack Warning Labels On Packaged Foods For Safeguarding Consumers’ Health

March 21, 2022 |Azirkhobor

Consumer activists, government officials, doctors and consumers in general came together in Hotel Riviera, Guwahati today for a stakeholders’ consultation on front of pack labeling read more

কনজিউমাৰ্চ লীগেল প্ৰটেকশ্যন ফৰামৰ উদ্যোগত কৰ্মশালা

March 21, 2022 | W7S News

সমগ্ৰ দেশৰ লগতে অসমতো পেকেজড খাদ্যৰ ব্যৱহাৰৰ সমান্তৰাল ভাৱে বৃদ্ধি পাইছে হৃদ আৰু অন্যান্য অসংক্ৰমিত ৰোগীৰ সংখ্যা। সোমবাৰে গুৱাহাটীৰ হোটেল ৰিভেৰাত কনজিউমাৰ্চ লীগেল প্ৰটেকশ্যন ফৰাম, অসম আৰু  কনজিউমাৰ ভয়েচ read more

Customer organizations demand to write compulsory alert message on packaged food

March 21, 2022 | First News Report

Along with the whole country, the number of heart and other infected patients is increasing in parallel to the use of packaged food in Assam read more

‘পেকেজিং খাদ্যই ৬৭ শতাংশ লোকৰ দেহত বহুমূত্ৰ, হাইপাৰটেনশ্যন ৰোগৰ সৃষ্টি কৰে’- কনজিউমাৰ্চ লীগেল প্ৰটেকশ্যন ফৰামৰ কৰ্মশালা

March 21, 2022 | Asomiyapratidin

সমগ্ৰ দেশৰ লগতে অসমতো পেকেজড খাদ্যৰ ব্যৱহাৰৰ সমান্তৰাল ভাৱে বৃদ্ধি পাইছে হৃদ আৰু অন্যান্য অসংক্ৰমিত ৰোগীৰ সংখ্যা read more

Stakeholders consultation on ‘Front of Pack Warning Labels (FOPL) on Unhealthy Packaged Foods in Bhopal

Stakeholders consultation on ‘Front of Pack Warning Labels (FOPL) on Unhealthy Packaged Foods in Bhopal

Stakeholders consultation on ‘Front of Pack Warning Labels (FOPL) on Unhealthy Packaged Foods in Bhopal

In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Consumer VOICE in association with National Centre for Human Settlements & Environment and MP Institute of Hospitality Travel & Tourism Studies (MPIHTTS), Bhopal organized a stakeholders’ consultation on ‘Front of Pack Warning Labels (FOPL) on Unhealthy Packaged Foods for Consumers’ on 16th March.

While sensitizing the consumers on FOPL and its importance, Ms. Ekta Purohit, Manager, Projects, Consumer VOICE, said that “Amidst the rising concerns over obesity and other non-communicable diseases (NCD) ailments in our country, it becomes imperative for consumers to be a stakeholder in deciding what to eat and what is to be avoided. Front-of-Pack warning labeling represents a key component of a comprehensive strategy to promote healthier lives. It enables consumers to identify in a quick, clear and effective way, products high in salt, sugar and fats.”

Bhopal

Dr. S.K.Saxena while emphasizing on the harmful effects of packaged foods and rise in NCD burden in the state and in India, stressed that diets high in salt, sugar and fats is a major risk factor for these chronic and difficult to treat ailments. He said that one should be careful about contamination of food from the recycles packaging material as well. He also emphasized that consumption of ultra-processed foods and packaged foods is in the rise in (state) irrespective of the socio economic background, and it is putting the lives of our children and youth in danger.

Dr. Nilima Verma, Director, MPIHTTS, made a presentation on type of package food, packaging material and different types of labels, changes in logos to notify type of food being used in India. She also stressed that label should be clearly visible, readable and understandable and labeling should be food specific. Besides the level of different nutrients there should be date of manufacture and date of expiry. This will allow the consumers make the right choice with a simple warning label on the front of food packets for unhealthy foods. A front of pack warning label on packaged foods will help consumers identify the products that are high in salt, sugar and fat. She further advised the consumers to be smart shopper, compare food label, know what you are eating and choose healthy food.

Bhopal

Shri Sandeep Victor representing Food and Drugs, Madhya Pradesh said that the idea of a simple and understandable FOPL is good. Once the guideline for this is notified this will be implemented in Madhya Pradesh.

Prof. (Dr.) Sanjeev Gupta, Associate Professor, Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication said that health issues and importance of FOPL as discuss in the consultation needs to be disseminated among the larger population where media could play a major role.

Dr. Nandi, DG, NCHSE said that in India Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and obesity are of growing concern.

Bhopal

He expressed doubt about the acceptability of proposal of FOPL having HSR label design with star ratings formula and said that consumers can never understand these. As consumer organization, working at the grass root level we need to emphasize that a simple Warning Label symbol with threshold level is always better for consumer understanding“.

Certificates were distributed to all the participants. The programme was conducted by Ms. Monica Sharma and Aiman Zubair of MPIHTTS and Mr. Avinash Shrivastava of NCHSE.

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yogya chitramaya FOPL apnaya jana chahiye

March 20, 2022 | Subha Savere

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⇨ A simple, attractive and easily understandable pictographic FOPL providing energy intake comparable to conventional food should be adopted to safeguard consumers’ health in India

March 21, 2022 |untold India News

On the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day 2022, National Centre for Human Settlements & Environment in partnership with Consumer VOICE and MP Institute of Hospitality Travel & Tourism Studies (MPIHTTS), Bhopal organized a stakeholder’s consultation on ‘Front of Pack Warning Labels... read more

⇨ बीमारियों से रोज बढ़ती चिंताएं, भारत में उपभोक्ताओं के स्वास्थ्य की रक्षा जरूरी

March 17, 2022 |The Sootr

विश्व उपभोक्ता अधिकार दिवस 2022 के अवसर पर, 16 मार्च 2022 को  कंस्यूमर वॉयस और एमपी इंस्टीट्यूट ऑफ हॉस्पिटैलिटी ट्रैवल एंड टूरिज्म स्टडीज (MPIHTTS), भोपाल के साथ साझेदारी में नेशनल सेंटर फॉर ह्यूमन सेटलमेंट्स एंड एनवायरनमेंट read more

भारत में उपभोक्ताओं के स्वास्थ्य की रक्षा के लिए पारंपरिक भोजन की तुलना में ऊर्जा की खपत प्रदान करने वाला एक सरल, आकर्षक और आसानी से समझने योग्य चित्रमय एफओपीएल अपनाया जाना चाहिए।

March 17, 2022 | Kabir Mission

विश्व उपभोक्ता अधिकार दिवस 2022 के अवसर पर, 16 मार्च 2022 को कंस्यूमर वॉयस और एमपी इंस्टीट्यूट ऑफ हॉस्पिटैलिटी ट्रैवल एंड टूरिज्म स्टडीज read more

A simple, attractive and easily understandable pictographic FOPL providing energy intake comparable to conventional food should be adopted to safeguard consumers’ health in India

March 17, 2022 | Untold India News

On the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day 2022, National Centre for Human Settlements & Environment in partnership with Consumer VOICE and MP Institute of Hospitality Travel & Tourism Studies (MPIHTTS), Bhopal organized a stakeholder’s consultation read more

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