Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaria has assured to give due consideration to the suggestions of the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) regarding the much-awaited Star Rating Food Label-based FOPL regulation.
Recently, Hon’ble MLA Mr. Ashutosh Sinha wrote a letter to the Health Minister regarding the much-awaited Star Rating Food Label-based FOPL regulation, urging him to bring front-of-pack labeling with warnings under his supervision, so that consumers are empowered to make healthy choices.
Referring to the Honorable MLA’s letter No. 11 EVNS/1221, Dr. Mansukh Mandaria assured that the suggestions of the PVCHR have been noted and will be appropriately considered while reviewing the draft consultation notes.
Welcoming the initiative of the Union Health Minister, Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, Convener of PVCHR, said, “FOPL with warning level can prove to be the most effective, which helps the consumer to make healthy choices, how much sugar, fat, and salt is in the packaged food. Which will help in preventing serious diseases especially non-communicable diseases.”
In our country where the number of victims of malnutrition is very high, as well as due to excessive consumption of packaged food, people are suffering from non-communicable diseases. That’s why the public should get complete information about nutritious diets through FOPL regulations.
He further cited the results of the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), and said that India will soon become the global capital of diabetes and obesity in children. Desirable achievement is about to be achieved, the government should immediately bring the warning level on packet food as per the standard of the World Health Organization.
The PVCHR has suggested in the letter, keeping in mind public opinion, that the regulation to make this draft more strong, clearly higher in Front of Pack Nutritional Labeling (FOPNL) Issue easy-to-understand warnings about high levels of fat, high sugar, and high salt. At the same time, instead of 4 years, give 1 year’s time to the food companies so that they can work for the benefit of the people as soon as possible.