The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a draft notification for expert and public responses to the printing of the Indian Nutrition Rating (INR) on food packages as part of a exercise of labeling with healthy foods obtaining a higher qualification. . The movement aims to make consumers aware of items that are high in salt, fat and sugar and enable them to make informed decisions when buying them.
It is proposed to assign scores to items based on energy and content of saturated fat, sugar, sodium, fruit, vegetables, nuts, legumes, millet, dietary fiber and protein per 100 g serving of solid and liquid foods.
“The INR system rates the overall nutritional profile of packaged foods by assigning them a rating from ½ star (least healthy) to 5 stars (healthiest). More stars indicate that the food product is better positioned to provide [the] daily human need for nutrients. The logo will be displayed in close proximity to the product name or brand on [the] in front of [the] pack”, says the notification.
Items such as dairy products, vegetable oil, fats, fresh and frozen fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, fish, flour, and sweeteners do not need to have ratings. Manufacturers will need to apply online at the FSSAI portal for the appropriate logos for their items.
FSSAI, the food regulator, has been working to improve food package labeling regulations for the benefit of consumers and has sent notices to restaurants for failing to mention calorie counting on food menus as required by its latest labeling regulations.
In November 2020, the regulator notified new food packaging and labeling regulations under which restaurants with central licenses or chains of 10 or more restaurants must mention the calorie count per serving size of the food on the menu card, boards and brochures for customers. .
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