Health experts seek warning labels on foods and beverages

CUTS International, an organisation working for the consumers, along with many international health experts, has urged Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to introduce “mandatory front-of-package warning labels” on foods and beverages “to curb the growing epidemic of heart disease and cardiovascular deaths”.

FSSAI, an autonomous body, lays down science-based standards for articles of food and regulates their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import. It is also responsible for creating awareness about food safety and hygiene.

According to experts, excessive consumption of foods and beverages high in trans-fat, sodium, added sugar and saturated fat are a major cause of heart disease, stroke and premature deaths in India and around the world.

“Consumers need to have the right information to be able to make informed decisions about what they eat,” said Dr Barry Popkin, professor of nutrition at University of North Carolina.

Dr Popkin is one of the 28 international health and nutrition experts who have jointly submitted suggestions to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India in a letter written on June 13.

He said governments around the globe consider mandatory front-of-pack warning labels an effective and evidence-based way to improve diets.

“This is an opportunity for India to join a growing list of countries that have taken decisive steps to prevent diseases and save lives,” said George Cheriyan, the director of CUTS International and a member of the FSSAI’s Central Advisory Committee.

He said it is the right time to upgrade food labelling policies to reflect best international practices for a healthy India.

The FSSAI has committed to limit the amount of trans-fat in oils from the current permitted level of 5 percent to 2 percent by 2022.

In 2015, the amount of transfat in oils was brought down from 10 percent to the current 5 percent.

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