Hard-handed Indian official urges food firms to be ethical amid labelling, ingredients row

In a statement to Reuters, Tukaram Mundhe, the strictest food safety commissioner in India's Maharashtra state, has called on food companies to adopt more ethical practices. Mundhe expressed his concern over the varying nutrition standards followed by companies in India and abroad, particularly after Reuters reported instances where the same product had different caloric content and sugar levels in different markets.

For instance, the same-sized can of Fanta in London had only 63 calories, whereas in India, it contained triple the sugar and 185 calories. Mundhe questioned the ethics behind such practices, emphasizing that companies must abide by legal compliances and also exhibit ethical behavior. He added that companies have a responsibility towards society.

While major players like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestle have not responded to his comments, Mundhe has gained prominence for his stringent enforcement drives in Maharashtra, the country's wealthiest state. His teams have inspected numerous establishments, leading to closures for inadequate hygiene. Mundhe's strict stance has been evident since he became the state's food safety chief.

Despite Coca-Cola's successful lobbying against India's plan for front-of-pack warning labels, Mundhe rebutted this by stating that warning labels do not belittle consumers but rather respect their intelligence. He further emphasized that prevention should not hinge on patients being already ill. The Supreme Court of India had previously criticized the delay in implementing front-of-pack labelling regulations, urging for their swift action.

In response to public debate, Nestle's global CEO has requested India to consult with manufacturers when drafting rules for front-of-pack health labelling to ensure a scientifically sound approach.