"Empowering Healthier Choices: Sensitization Workshop on Front of Package Labelling Sparks Nationwide Impact and Media Recognition"

On 21st July 2023, Peoples' Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), Food Industries Welfare Association (FIWA), and Bhartiya Vyapar Mandal came together to successfully organize a highly impactful Sensitization Workshop on "Front of Package Labelling." The event took place at the Deputy Speaker Hall (Annexe) of Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, and attracted a diverse array of stakeholders, including representatives from the food industry, food industry associations, government bodies such as NAFED, FSSAI, and MSME, think tanks, Members of Parliament, and civil societies.

The primary objective of the workshop was to delve deep into discussions regarding the adoption of front-of-package labeling (FOPL) in India. The focus was on highlighting the immense potential of FOPL in combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and promoting healthier dietary choices among consumers.

Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, Founder and Convenor of PVCHR, set a warm and welcoming tone for the event by presenting mementos to the guests, signifying their valued presence. His inspiring opening remarks instilled enthusiasm among the participants, encouraging them to actively engage in fruitful discussions and seek practical and effective solutions to promote healthier food choices and address nutritional challenges in India.

The workshop commenced with an insightful presentation by Shri Abhishek Pratap, Advisor, Food Policy Programme & Cardiovascular Health, South Asia Region, Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). He shed light on the pressing issues related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and child obesity in India, emphasizing the critical need for warning label FOPL as a potential solution.

Following this, Dr. Arun Gupta, MD, FIAP (Pediatrician) and Convenor of Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi), delivered a comprehensive presentation on the "Overall Nutrition Scenario of Children in India: Double Burden of Malnutrition." His insights provided a deeper understanding of the prevailing challenges of malnutrition in children and stressed the urgency of addressing this double burden of malnutrition in the country.

The session on "Industry Commitment to Healthy Nutrition for Children in India" featured notable speakers sharing their valuable perspectives.

Shri Shailendra Dubey, representing Akhil Bhartiya Grahak Panchayat, emphasized the significance of clear labeling of sugar, salt, and fat content on food packaging to empower informed choices for buyers. He stressed that such labeling should not pose any problems and urged the government to provide a timeline for implementation while allowing a specific period for corrections by industry stakeholders.

Dr. Girish Gupta, National President of FIWA, highlighted the pivotal role of the food processing industry in India's economy. He emphasized that beyond creating employment opportunities, generating foreign reserves, and supporting farmers' income, the implementation of FOPL holds great potential to significantly benefit this industry and foster substantial growth.

Shri Ajay Janmajay, National Spokesperson from Bhartiya Vyapar Mandal, echoed Dr. Girish Gupta's sentiments, emphasizing that FOPL's implementation not only has significant health implications but also positively impacts the food processing industry. He highlighted the opportunity for the Indian food processing industry to attract foreign investments and experience considerable growth as consumer preferences shift towards healthier food choices.

The session on "Keynote Address by Elected Representatives, Government Authorities, and People's Perspectives" brought prominent speakers sharing their valuable insights.

Shri Pakauri Lal Kol, Member of Parliament – Robertsganj, emphasized the necessity of warning label FOPL on packet food to address malnutrition and non-communicable diseases, urging public awareness and the active support of the House to create healthier and fulfilling lives for the people.

Shri Ashok Thakur, Director, National Agriculture Cooperative Marketing (NAFED), stressed the importance of warning label FOPL implementation in reducing healthcare expenditures for families and enhancing overall public health. He underscored the need to consider food diversity while setting standards to cater to the country's varied dietary practices.

Shri B.S Acharya, Retired Deputy Director, Food Safety & Standard Authority of India, clarified that the FOPL regulation is still in its draft form and subject to further considerations based on the representations received during the notice period.

Dr. R.K Bharti, Joint Director, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), emphasized the urgency of addressing access to good, healthy food and sustainable packaging as significant challenges requiring immediate attention and viable solutions.

Shri Lalji Desai, Chief Organizer, All India Congress Seva Dal, pledged unwavering support for the cause and expressed concern over the potential loss of food diversity due to the trend of packaged food.

Ms. Shirin Shabana Khan delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all participants for their valuable contributions to the workshop. The program was expertly moderated by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, PVCHR Convenor, ensuring smooth and insightful discussions throughout the day.

During the workshop, notable individuals from various food and beverage industries participated, including:

1. Shri Ripan Kochar from FONTAL FLEXIPACK LIMITED.

2. Lalit Goel from Prasadini Oil Mills Private Limited.

3. Mr. Navin Kumar Motani, CMD of G M Exim Private Limited, a leading snacks manufacturer in North and South India.

4. Sanjeev Rawat, Managing Director of a leading company specializing in product packaging designing.

5. Sandeep Bajaj from Kishlay Foods Pvt. Ltd.

6. Pankaj Goel from Panchwati Prayogshala Private Limited.

7. Arun Sehgal from PML Foods & Beverages LLP.

8. Ankit Jawla from Jawla Engineering Pvt. Ltd. (Package designing machine).

9. Y K Gupta from Vita Agro Processed Foods.

10.Shri Z.M Rabbani and Shri Manoj Arora from the beverage industry.

In addition to representatives from the food industries, members of the NSG (National Security Guard) from the Food Industries Welfare Association and Bhartiya Vyapar Mandal also participated in the event.

The Food Industries Association posted the program's invitation on its website www.fiwa.in, while Bhartiya Vyapar Mandal shared it on social media.

After the workshop, on 22nd July 2023, Mr. Abhimanyu Pratap, a Senior Consultant, held follow-up meetings with key stakeholders, including Dr. Girish Gupta, the National President of FIWA, Shri Lalji Desai, Chief Organizer of All India Congress Seva Dal, and Shri Ashok Thakur, Director of National Agriculture Cooperative Marketing (NAFED). The discussions aimed to delve deeper into and implement the outcomes of the sensitization workshop, focusing on promoting healthier nutrition and effectively combating Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), thus contributing to the overall well-being of the nation.

The workshop garnered significant media attention across the country, with coverage from 13 newspapers and 8 digital platforms. Esteemed outlets such as vee-Arjun, Chhuthi Vani, and Youth Ki Awaz featured our story, effectively spreading the message about the importance of making healthier food choices and addressing nutrition challenges in India. In addition, our efforts were recognized by prominent publications like Jubilee Post, Amrit India, Gurgow Today, Laxmi Sandesh, Morning India, Ajay Bharat, Public Asia, Nayari Duniya, and Shaha Times, enabling us to reach a wider audience.

Notably, regional leading papers, namely Lucknow Junction and Sanmarg, highlighted the event's significance for public health in their coverage. Overall, the extensive media coverage helped to raise awareness and increase our outreach, fostering a greater impact on the promotion of a healthier lifestyle across the nation.