New Delhi: Leading doctors and global public health experts have emphasized the need for consumer commemorative labels to overcome the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCD) in India.
Participating in Roundtable discussions, experts highlight how more than 5.8 million Indians die every year from NCD (such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease).
They say that most of this deadly disease, although difficult to treat, can be prevented by modifying diet and changing the food industry.
Simple action, such as the front label package (FOPL), can enable changes in the paradigm in state food consumption patterns and as a result, preventing the future NCD crisis, they feel.
Highlighting the importance of fron-of-package warning labeling, experts say it is the main component of a comprehensive strategy to promote a healthier life.
Labeling the front warning package allows consumers to identify in a way that is fast, clear and effective, high-sugar products, sodium, saturated fat, trans fat, and total fat, critical nutrition associated with NCD load in India, they said.
Research has revealed that countries such as Chile who adopted a FOP warning label system have succeeded in reducing consumption of unhealthy ultra-processed foods and beverages.
Experts say there is a global momentum to make food packaging safer and healthier.
Brazil, Israel, Chile and the recently Colombia have adopted ‘high’ warning labels on their food packages, which are considered to be the best practical approach, they said.
Plant Indian government and FSSAI peak food regulators to prioritize the adoption of FOPL, Ashim Sanyal from the voice of the consumer said that the consultative process had begun.
“Civil society organizations and consumer rights have been consulted by FSSAI.
We have made a strong representation for effective label design and scientific nutrition profile model – two powerful and compulsory FOP system elements,” he said.
Dr.
Madhukar Mittal of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, states that proof of connecting food consumption is processed and packaged in salt, sugar and fat – if not known as nutrients that are concerned – heart disease, heart disease, and Various forms of cancer are undeniable.
“India quickly emerged as a capital city of diabetes in the world.
Obesity is increasing.
The whole food system must act now to maintain public health.
The food industry tends to make their food products better by adding sugar or salt,” he said.
Dr.
Christina Pollard, Associate Professor, Curtin University said, “Australia adopted a very controversial health star rating (HSR) five years ago under significant industrial pressure.
The voluntary system, HSR does not have incentives in the food industry to formulate or have it.
Impact Whatever the health of Australian people or guide them to make healthier choices.
HSR blocks more than that assist.
“Dr.
Pollard further illustrates that the HSR system misinterprets the health of unhealthy products and increasing the possibility of misleading consumers to think of products Healthy ultra-processed.
“A package of candy or soft drinks with additional calcium or vitamins can assess itself higher in accordance with the HSR system, does not provide sufficient information on consumers about whether the nutrition is dangerous, the consumption that needs to be reduced, is still in advantages or still in advantages.
Not.
If you see changing the food system, which depends on the food industry that formulates its products, then HSR falls short and only misleads consumers, “said Dr Patard.
Dr.
Nancy Sahni, a clinical nutritionist at the Postgraduate Education and Medical Research Institute (PGIMER), said “Warning labels are a requirement of hours and can work wonders for our country where the wrong information on the food package is very large.
In countries like India are at the point Flash Health, strong FOP is the best allies of the doctor and criticize nutritionists.
“In 2018 Indian Authority Safety Standards (FSSAI) issued a rules for FOP which was then withdrawn for further deliberation.
In December 2019, FSSAI bent FOPL from general labeling regulations and is currently seeking consultation with civil society, industry and nutrition for decent models for India.
FOPL works best when made mandatory and applies to all package products, the label is interpretive, simple and easily visible, guided by a strong nutritional profile model.
Experts emphasize the need for consumer friendly warning labels on packaging food
