The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched ‘Eat Right Movement’ in a new strategy to promote production of healthier FMCG food products in the industry.
According to an official release, this is an attempt to getting the food industry on board for implementation of draft food labelling regulation in attempt to protect and promote public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety. 15 packaged food companies, 10-15 retail companies, 10 quick service restaurants, 8 to 10 edible oil companies will make voluntary commitments and be part of FSSAI’s movement launch Mandated to consolidate statute related to food safety and regulation in India, FSSAI has a moved a step further to advocate for low sugar and salt consumption.
In April, FSSAI released a draft (Food Safety and Standards- Labeling and Display) on food safety and standards regulations including new mandatory front-of-pack labelling for packaged food products, including a ‘red light’ label for high fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) foods.
The amendments geared at tackling obesity and diabetes, suggests mandatory declaration by packaged food manufacturers about nutritional information such as calories, total fat, trans fat, sugar and salt per serve on the front of the pack.
According to officials, food businesses were hesitant of such labelling regulations but this might change following the voluntary commitments made.