Context:
A recent report by the Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNi) has brought to light significant disparities in the nutritional quality of food and beverage products available in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) compared to those in high-income countries (HICs). This analysis highlights the critical need for better food labeling practices, which could help steer consumers towards healthier choices in packaged foods. By addressing these discrepancies, there is potential to improve public health outcomes and reduce the burden of diet-related diseases globally.
Relevance:
GS II: Health
Dimensions of the Article:
- Key Findings from the Health Star Rating System Report
- What is the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)?
Key Findings from the Health Star Rating System Report
Health Star Rating System Analysis
- Scope: The study covered over 52,000 products from leading global brands including Nestlé, PepsiCo, and Unilever.
- Rating Mechanism: Products were rated on a scale of 5 stars, where scores above 3.5 were classified as healthy.
- Geographical Disparities in Scores:
- Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs): Average score of 1.8.
- High-Income Countries (HICs): Average score of 2.3.
Nutritional Disparities
- Accessibility: Limited availability of affordable, healthy options in LMICs.
- Information Gaps: Micronutrient details were often missing from products in LMICs compared to those in HICs.
Historical Context
- Past Reports: Similar nutritional disparities were noted in previous studies, including issues like higher sugar levels in baby foods marketed by Nestlé in India and Africa compared to Europe.
Significance for India
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
- Health Impact: India has a high burden of NCDs, including over 10 crore diabetes cases and rising obesity rates.
- Diet-Related Issues: Over 56% of India’s disease burden is linked to unhealthy diets.
Economic and Nutritional Challenges
- Affordability: More than half of the Indian population cannot afford a healthy diet.
- Consumption Trends: Increasing expenditure on processed foods high in sugar and fats.
Importance of Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL)
Global Examples
- Successful Implementations: Countries like Chile and Mexico have seen reduced sugary beverage consumption after implementing mandatory FOPL.
Indian Context
- Regulatory Efforts: India supports World Health Assembly resolutions against junk food marketing to children but struggles with effective implementation of FOPL policies.
- Policy Gaps: The 2022 Draft Notification for FOPL has seen little progress, and voluntary industry efforts remain inadequate.
Recommendations from the Report
Policy Enhancements
- Label Clarity: Advocate for stringent policies that mandate clear labelling of sugar, salt, and fat content on all food packaging.
- Consumer Education: Launch campaigns to educate consumers about the importance of nutritional labels and how to read them.
Economic Incentives
- Affordability: Encourage food and beverage companies to make nutritious products more accessible, especially for low-income consumers.
Regulatory Enforcement
- Best Practices: Adopt and enforce global best practices for food labelling to ensure transparency and consumer protection.
What is the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)?
Overview:
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- It operates under the purview of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Legal Framework:
- Formed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which replaced earlier legislation such as the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, the Fruit Products Order, 1955, and the Meat Food Products Order, 1973.
Mandate:
- FSSAI regulates various aspects of food safety, including the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food articles.
- It establishes standards to ensure the safety and quality of food consumed by the public.
Composition:
- The authority consists of 22 members, including a Chairperson, with a requirement that one-third of the members must be women.
Functions:
- Regulation Development: FSSAI has the authority to formulate regulations to enforce food safety standards across the country.
- Lab Accreditation: It establishes guidelines for accrediting food testing laboratories to ensure accurate and reliable testing of food samples.
- Inspection Authority: Food safety officers appointed by FSSAI have the power to enter and inspect any premises involved in the manufacturing, storage, or display of food products.
- Research and Development: The Research and Development division conducts research in food safety standards, with a focus on adopting international best practices.
- Data Collection: FSSAI collects data related to food consumption, contamination, emerging risks, and other relevant factors to inform its regulatory decisions.
Continuous Improvement:
- FSSAI continuously strives to adopt and implement international food standards to enhance food safety and quality standards in India.
-Source: Indian Express
