News: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the apex regulator of food quality in our country. Recently, the Supreme Court has urged the FSSAI to fast-track the implementation of Front-of-Pack (FoP) labeling, a move aimed at tackling the rising burden of lifestyle diseases like obesity and diabetes.
What is Front-of-Pack (FoP) Labeling and why is it necessary?
FoP labeling is a simplified, evidence-based nutrition-labelling system placed on the front of food packages. Unlike the complex nutrition tables on the back, FoP labels provide immediate warnings about high levels of Sugar, Salt (Sodium), and Saturated Fat.
- Objective: To help consumers make informed and healthier purchasing decisions at a glance.
- Current Status: While the Draft FSS (Labelling and Display) Amendment Regulations, 2025 proposed specific requirements for these labels, they have faced hurdles in reaching a consensus among stakeholders.
- Global Precedents: Many countries use “Traffic Light” coding (Red, Amber, Green) or “Health Star Ratings” to categorize packaged foods.
What is the institutional framework of the FSSAI?
- It is a Statutory Body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which consolidated multiple older laws into one single regulatory framework.
- Nodal Ministry: It functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- Mandate: FSSAI lays down science-based standards and regulates the entire food value chain—from manufacture and storage to distribution, sale, and import—ensuring food remains safe for human consumption.
- Governing Structure: The Food Authority consists of a Chairperson and 22 members. Crucially, the Act mandates that one-third of these members must be women.
What are the key initiatives and strategic goals of the FSSAI?
- Eat Right India Movement: A flagship initiative aligned with the National Health Policy 2017. It focuses on three pillars: Eat Safe, Eat Healthy, and Eat Sustainable.
- Digital Transformation: The FOSCOS (Food Safety Compliance System) provides a one-stop-shop for food business operators to obtain licenses and registrations, improving the ease of doing business.
- Combating Adulteration: The DART (Detect Adulteration with Rapid Test) manual provides simple tests for consumers to check common adulterants in milk, oil, and spices at home.
- Global Standards: FSSAI actively participates in the Codex Alimentarius Commission, ensuring that Indian food standards are harmonized with international safety benchmarks to boost agricultural exports.
