Report

Pre-packed food will now feature pictorial front labels to empower individuals to make healthier eating choices. The ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and NIN (National Institute of Nutrition) conducted a study on consumer perceptions of labels. They submitted their findings to the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India).

Highlights

The study explored how various types of labels influence consumer decisions about purchasing foods deemed “overall healthy” or avoiding those considered unhealthy. Conducted across different regions in the country, the research revealed a significant finding: only a small percentage of consumers read the labels.

According to Subba Rao M. Gangavaramu, principal investigator in information, communication, and health education at ICMR-NIN, “Consumers primarily check the date of manufacture and expiry. They also look for indications of whether the food is vegetarian or non-vegetarian. Only a small percentage examine the nutrients to make informed choices.”

The study, which involved 2,500 adults and adolescents from five regions—north (Delhi), east (Kolkata), west (Pune), south (Hyderabad), and northeast (Jorhat, Assam)—found that most respondents checked the expiry date (74.2%). Over 60% read the brand name, while 57.7% checked the manufacturing date. However, only a small proportion considered nutrition information.

Bottomline

The most frequently checked nutrients included calories, total fat, sugar, salt, and protein. The NIN report emphasized, “In the context of rising overweight, obesity, and non-communicable diseases, front-of-pack nutrition labelling can serve as a preventive tool. Warning indicator labels could effectively deter consumers from consuming nutrients of concern.”

Source: The Times of India