Key Update 

A parliamentary panel has urged the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to take stronger action against misleading food labels and advertisements. The panel emphasised the need for clearer consumer information and stricter enforcement to improve food safety in India. The report recommended mandatory warning labels on foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS). It said such labels would help consumers make informed choices and reduce health risks associated with ultra-processed foods.

Need for Stronger Surveillance and Data Systems

The panel also called for the creation of a comprehensive database of food businesses and a nationwide surveillance system. It suggested that regulators should rely on structured national monitoring rather than isolated state-level surveys to track food safety issues more effectively. The report highlighted the need for stricter regulation of plastic food packaging and stronger measures to reduce contamination risks in processed foods. It also recommended expanding laboratory infrastructure and modernising food testing facilities to meet global quality standards.

Concerns Over Microplastics

The panel advised FSSAI to coordinate with the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals to set stricter standards and study the impact of microplastics on human health. Earlier, on March 13, FSSAI informed the Supreme Court that it was working on pictorial or tabular warning labels for HFSS foods to help consumers better understand nutritional risks. The report noted that many countries have already started restricting the marketing and placement of HFSS foods such as sugary drinks, snacks, cakes and fast foods due to their link with obesity and chronic diseases. It said the recommendations aim to strengthen food regulation and promote healthier food choices in India.

Source: The Tribune