FSSAI to Display Sugar, Salt, and Fat Info on Food Labels

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved a proposal to display nutritional information, including total sugar, salt, and saturated fat, on packaged food labels. This information must be in bold letters and a larger font size, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The decision was made during the 44th meeting of the Food Authority, chaired by Apurva Chandra, Chairperson of FSSAI. The draft notification for this amendment will be available for public suggestions and objections.

This move aims to help consumers make healthier choices and combat the rise of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated that clear labeling requirements would aid in global efforts to fight NCDs.

FSSAI also issues advisories to prevent false and misleading claims by food businesses. These include directives to e-commerce websites to remove the term ‘Health Drink’ and mandates for Food Business Operators (FBOs) to avoid claims like ‘100% fruit juices’ for reconstituted fruit juices.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from various ministries, states, and union territories, as well as representatives from industry associations, consumer organizations, research institutes, and farmers’ organizations.