With the rise in public awareness regarding the food choices , the front of the pack (FOP)labelling of food can have tremendous impact on public health. Recently Supreme Court of India directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to consider introducing mandatory front-of-package warning labels on packaged food products high in sugar, salt and saturated fat. If implemented this will serve as a visual reminder to the consumers and help them in making conscious choices.
These labels will act as signals that, these products may pose health risks when consumed excessively. Countries like France, Belgium , Germany, Australia, Chile, Mexico and Canada have adopted different types FOP labelling .In several of these countries implementing warning labels, have shown declines in sales of sugar-sweetened beverages. Labelling policies have incentivised food manufacturers to reformulate products to reduce sugar, sodium, or fat content in order to avoid negative labelling. This indirect effect may have broader population-level health benefits.
Back home, the Graphic labelling on cigarette packages has proved to be successful in reducing the incidenceof smoking. One studyreport that one in five non-tobacco users were deterred from starting to use tobacco after seeing the graphic health warnings on tobacco packs.
FOP labelling has the potential to become a powerful public health intervention in India by guiding consumers toward healthier dietary choices. By providing simple, visible, and easy-to-understand nutritional warnings, FOP labels can empower consumers to make informed choices and help in management of the non communicable disease burden that India is facing.
Can a label at the front of a package become a catalyst for transforming the nation’s food habits and improving public health?
MBH/PS