New Delhi: India’s efforts to introduce clearer health warnings on packaged foods have run into strong resistance from some of the world’s biggest food companies.
The issue has become a major public health debate as concerns over obesity and unhealthy diets continue to grow.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had been considering colourful front-of-pack warnings to highlight high levels of sugar, salt and fat. However, after a meeting with industry representatives in March, the regulator moved away from the proposal and backed a simpler black-and-white nutrition table.
Reuters reviewed recordings of the March 19 meeting and found that industry executives argued that warning labels could confuse consumers and may not change their eating habits. Coca-Cola India executive Mili Bhattacharya said it was “very simplistic” to believe that seeing a symbol or icon on a package would change what people eat.
The debate has now reached the Supreme Court of India which is examining the regulator’s decision following a petition by public health activists. The court has previously asked regulators to consider stronger labelling measures including systems used in countries such as Israel.
Different rules, different products
The controversy has also drawn attention to differences between products sold in India and those available in other countries. A can of Fanta sold in London contains considerably less sugar than the same drink sold in India while some additives that attract prominent warnings in Europe are disclosed only in small print on Indian packaging.
Similar differences have been highlighted in products such as KitKat and Maggi noodles. Consumer activist Revant Himatsingka, widely known online as Food Pharmer has repeatedly compared products sold in India with their overseas versions.
Industry pushback continues
Industry groups say clearer rules are needed before new warning labels are introduced. The Ind Food & Beverage Association has argued that broad warnings could also apply to products containing naturally occurring sugars such as coconut water.
Health experts, meanwhile, say consumers deserve straightforward information when buying packaged food. Simone Pettigrew of the George Institute for Global Health said industry lobbying had “almost paralysed” efforts to introduce tougher standards.
With India’s packaged food market expanding rapidly, the dispute is likely to remain an important public health issue. The Supreme Court’s scrutiny could ultimately determine how much information Indian consumers see on the front of food packaging.
