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Mahesh

05/03/22 01:05 AM IST

‘Front-of-pack labelling’ (FoPL)

In News 
  • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will soon start labelling the front of packaged food products with Health Star Rating (HSR). 
Details 
  • FoPL can nudge people towards healthy consumption of packaged food.
  • It can also influence purchasing habits.
  • FSSAI, a body under the ministry of health and family welfare, had asked IIM-A to conduct a large-scale survey to analyse major FoPL models across the world and identify one that is easy to understand and also induces behavioural changes in Indian consumers.
  • The study endorsed the HSR format, which speaks about the proportions of salt, sugar, and fat in food that is most suited for consumers.
  • Countries such as the UK, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Hungary, and Australia have implemented FoPL systems.
Need of Rating in India 
  • A lot of Indian consumers do not read the information available at the back of the packaged food item.
  • Also, India has a huge burden of non-communicable diseases that contributes to around 5.87 million (60%) of all deaths in a year.
  • HSR will encourage people to make healthy choices and could bring a transformational change in the society.
About FSSAI
  • The FSSAI is an autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
  • It has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India.
  • It is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.
  • It is headed by a non-executive Chairperson, appointed by the Central Government, either holding or has held the position of not below the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.

Source- Livemint

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