What is ‘Front-of-Pack Labelling’ (FoPL)?

Q Why is it in News ?

A The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will soon start labelling the front of packaged food products with Health Star Rating (HSR).

Q What is FoPL?

A 

• In India, packaged food has had back-of-package (BOP) nutrient information in detail but no FoPL.
• Counter to this, FoPL can nudge people towards healthy consumption of packaged food.
• It can also influence purchasing habits.
• 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.

 Q What warranted such rating in India?

A 

• Visual bluff: A lot of Indian consumers do not read the information available at the back of the packaged food item.
• Burden of NCDs: Also, India has a huge burden of non-communicable diseases that contributes to around 5.87 million (60%) of all deaths in a year.
• Healthy dietary choices: HSR will encourage people to make healthy choices and could bring a transformational change in the society.
• Supreme court order: A PIL seeking direction to the government to frame guidelines on HSR and impact assessment for food items and beverages was filed in the Supreme Court in June 2021.

Q Which category of food item will have HSR?

A 

• All packaged food items or processed food will have the HSR label.
• These will include chips, biscuits, namkeen, sweets and chocolates, meat nuggets, and cookies.
• However, milk and its products such as chenna and ghee are EXEMPTED as per the FSSAI draft notified in 2019.

Q Will there be pushback from food industry?

A 

• Negative warning: Some experts opposed the use of the HSR model in India, suggesting that consumers might tend to take this as an affirmation of the health benefits rather than as a negative warning of ill effects.
• Lack of awareness: This is significant because there is lack of awareness on star ratings related to consumer products in India.
• Impact on Sale: Certain organisations fear it might affect the sale of certain food products.

Q When will the rating come into force?

A 

• FSSAI’s scientific panel recommends voluntary implementation of HSR format from 2023 and a transition period of four years for making it mandatory.
• FSSAI noted that the proposed thresholds are in alignment with the models implemented in other countries and ‘WHO population nutrient intake goals recommendations’.
• FSSAI will analyse the nutritional information in 100 mg of packaged food.
• The food safety compliance system licensing application portal will have a module for generating certificates wherein a licensee can enter details of a product.

 Q What is Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) ?

A 

• 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.