Global nutrition experts back FSSAI warning labels, seek stricter rules

NEW DELHI: Leading nutrition and public health scholars from 17 nations, featuring experts from Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Oxford, have endorsed India's mandatory warning labels for packaged foods and beverages rich in nutrients of health concern. They urged the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to enhance their system.

In a formal comment to FSSAI, the scholars advocated removing the proposed "two or more nutrients" prerequisite, asserting that products high in a single nutrient of concern should bear a warning. They pointed to sugar, saturated fat, and sodium as potential health hazards, referencing World Health Organization (WHO) guidance supporting specific thresholds.

This development occurs amidst ongoing deliberations surrounding front-of-package labelling. The Supreme Court has expressed skepticism about FSSAI's proposed phased rollout, including the "two or more nutrients" threshold, and has sought a timeline for implementing front-of-package warnings. Dr Arun Gupta, the founder of Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India and convenor of Nutrition Advocacy for Public Interest, stated that the scholars' recommendations diverge from the stance of the All India Food Processors Association, which opposed warning labels and advocated for per-serving labelling.

The scholars emphasized that warning labels have proven effective in modifying consumer behavior, elevating the nutritional quality of the food supply, and promoting healthier purchasing and dietary habits. They cited evidence of decreases in calories, sugar, saturated fat, and sodium levels.