Food regulator’s draft on star rating, norms need to be amended in favor of industry: SJM
The SJM claimed that the draft rules reflect ‘industry influence’ and do not serve the public interest.
SJM co-convenor Ashwini Mahajan has written to FSSAI objecting to the proposed regulation alleging that the draft regulation favors the food industry and not public health.
FSSAI in September released a draft regulation for ‘front-of-package labeling’ of food items for packaged food companies and invited comments from stakeholders. Had asked
The proposed rule calls for giving a five-star rating to packaged food items with the objective of informing consumers about the nutritional value of the food item.
In its letter to FSSAI, SJM said that FOPL should be implemented at the earliest so that consumers can make informed choices.
The RSS-affiliated organization said the draft regulation proposes to categorize food products from ‘less healthful to healthful’, which appears to be misleading.
Mahajan said, “FOPL with ratings is not helpful at all. No one can understand that a two star food has sugar or salt more than the prescribed amount.
“SJM would be more curious to know from FSSAI as to how a highly processed food product can be classified as such,” he added.
“FSSAI needs to uphold the sanctity of the Food Safety Act,” Mahajan said.
The SJM co-convenor said that most countries that have adopted FOPL, except New Zealand and Australia, have opted for warning labels rather than health-star ratings.
He said, “Australia’s experience is also now being questioned and the Australian government is reconsidering the issue.”
