Global nutrition experts back FSSAI warning labels, seek stricter rules
International nutrition experts are urging India's food safety regulator, FSSAI, to implement stricter warning labels on packaged foods high in sugar, fat, or sodium. The scholars argue that these labels are essential for improving public health and countering industry opposition.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing tension between public health advocacy and the food processing industry regarding transparency and consumer health regulations.
NEW DELHI: Over 60 nutrition and public health scholars from 17 countries, including researchers from Harvard, Johns Hopkins and Oxford, have backed India's mandatory warning labels on packaged foods and beverages high in nutrients of health concern, while urging FSSAI to strengthen system.In a written comment to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the scholars called for removal of the proposed "two or more nutrients" requirement, saying products high in one nutrient of concern should carry a warning. They said sugar, saturated fat and sodium can pose health risks and cited WHO guidance supporting thresholds.The intervention comes amid the debate over front-of-package labelling.
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