Strong Front of-Pack (FOP) labelling regulations – The need of the hour

 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/strong-front-of-pack-fop-labelling-regulations-the-need-of-the-hour/

Nutrition has been identified as the largest modifiable risk factor for the increasing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which contribute to 71% of deaths worldwide.

Leading doctors, University and IIT professors, health experts, human rights defenders, International peace laureate, faith leaders, political parties and global public health experts in Uttar Pradesh have come together to emphasise on the importance of consumer-friendly warning labels, which will address the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in India.

Political parties have promised to include urgent policy action on front on package labelling (FOPL) in their election manifesto for the upcoming elections in the state.

The Consultative sessions and public dialogue organised in various districts observed how over 5.8 million Indians die of NCDs (such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases) every year and that most of these fatal diseases could be prevented by changing dietary habits and transforming the food industry as it prepares to implement FOPL for its rapidly growing packaged food and beverage industry.

In India, front-of-package warning labelling are a major component of a comprehensive strategy to promote a healthier lifestyle, as they enable consumers to identify products high in sugar, sodium, saturated fats, trans fats, and total fats, which are critical nutrients associated with NCDs.

Researchers have found that countries like Chile, which adopted the FOPL warning labels system, have successfully reduced consumption of unhealthiest ultra-processed foods.

There is a global momentum to make packaged foods safer and healthier, with Brazil, Israel, Chile and more recently Colombia adopting high-intake warning labels on their food packets.

Incontrovertibly, processed and packaged foods high in salt, sugar, and fat – otherwise known as nutrients of concern – are linked to diabetes, heart disease, and various forms of cancer. India is fast emerging as the diabetes capital of the world. Obesity is on the rise. The food system as a whole must act now to protect people's health. In the food industry, excess sugar or salt is often used to enhance the taste of food products. Consequently, we consume excessive amounts of these harmful ingredients – far beyond the recommended levels. Consumers would be better off if labels explained clearly whether a food or beverage contains high amounts of salt, sugar or fats.

Labels with warnings are a necessity in our country where food packets are rife with misinformation. Public health obviously is moved by warning labels more than by any other type of label, including traffic light labels. A strong FOPL is the best ally of doctors and nutritional critics in a country like India that is at a health flash point.

However, the importance of protecting children from becoming obese and becoming vulnerable to deadly diseases as they grow up cannot be overstated. The right to know what we eat and what is in the food we give our children is an inalienable right that must be protected. In India, more and more people consume junk or processed food, and it is well established that many of these foods contain harmful ingredients or levels of salt and sugar several times higher than the recommended threshold. FOPL labels with clearly defined limits that warn children and parents should be a priority.