Food safety and Standards Authority of India on Monday shared that there is a plan to introduce front-of-package (FoP) labeling on packaged foods to help consumer make healthier food choices.
Expressing concern over increasing consumption of junk food leading to obesity in youth and children in India, Arun Singhal, CEO, FSSAI said this.
The food safety body has also asked IIM Ahmedabad to conduct a survey on the nature of FoP labels in the interest of consumers, shared Singhal during 15th anniversary of formation of FSSAI.
Front of Package labels seek to provide simple nutrition information in a more accessible location instead on the back or side of packages.
Asserting that FSSAI is capable of introducing this kind of label in India, Singhal said it has become necessary as obesity along with malnutrition is also a big problem in the country especially in youth and children.
"There is a rise in demand for packaged food. There is a need to provide information in a simple way about the impact of packaged food on health so that consumers can make choices," he added.
He also pointed that countries that uses FoP labels saw reduction in consumption of junk food.
"The technical issues have been settled, but only one issue is left, that is, the nature of the FoP label. For this, IIM Ahmedabad has been asked to conduct a survey," added Singhal.
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