New food packet labels to tell how much dietary requirement is met

Packaged food labelling is set for an overhaul in India.

All packaged food items will soon have to clearly mention what percentage of your daily recommended level of nutrient intake is met in a single serving of that particular item.

The country’s food regulator, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), is coming up with guidelines for elaborate labelling of food packets that must tell a person how much of recommended dietary allowance is met in one serving to make it convenient for people to keep tabs.

“We are in the process of changing labelling regulations,” said FSSAI CEO Pawan Agarwal.

The initial guidelines are ready and will shortly be sent to the Union ministry of health.

“We have an expert panel working on formulating the guidelines. New labelling methods will help a consumer in knowing the exact percentage of the recommended dietary allowance of say sugar, fat, salt or other micro nutrients that’s met by consuming a serving of that product,” said Agarwal.

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) provides a reference range to assess daily nutrient intake in a healthy person that tends to vary by age and gender.

Currently, the food packets broadly mention total calories contained and also the quantity of fat, sugar, salt, carbohydrates and a few other nutrients.

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