A regulation for a strong, simple, mandatory FoPL without any further delay is a must: CUTS International
In a bid to allow consumers to correctly, quickly, and easily identify products that contain excessive amount of sugars, fats, and sodium, consumer organisations across the country under the headship of CUTS International, adopted an eight-point Charter of Demands in the National Consumer Convention (NCC) held in Delhi. The Charter will be submitted to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
This charter highlighted immediate steps to be taken for the earliest notification of Front of Package Labelling (FoPL) regulation that has been long pending.
It also specifically demanded to adopt simple, interpretive ‘high in’ style warning labels that has been established as the most reliable FoPL format that improves public health and aids all consumers regardless of their age, literacy proficiency or socio-economic strata to make healthier choices.
It also highlights the need to reduce the risk for diet related non communicable diseases, with a format based on nutrient profile model with scientific threshold limits and WHO SEARO Model.
George Cheriyan, Director, CUTS International, while making a presentation on FoPL during the National Consumer Convention, said “Right to Information and Right to Choose are fundamental consumer rights. FoPL is a tool which provide consumers information and alert about unhealthy ingredients, and help to choose healthy products. The regulators in India need to cautiously move forward but at a more rapid phase while choosing an ideal label for packaged food products for consumers in India. FSSAI have already spent number of years discussing and consulting stakeholders, it is high time to move fast without any further delay and come out with a strong regulation.”