Advancements and Achievements in Driving FOPL Advocacy within One Year

Our project has embarked on a transformative journey marked by collaboration and guidance, underpinned by a collective commitment to propel a robust Front-of-Pack Labeling (FOPL) policy. This endeavor has led us to engage with stakeholders across multiple tiers, each contributing significantly to the advancement of our mission.

Engaging Elected Representatives: We have consistently convened meetings with 53 Members of Parliament, including 1 Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development. A substantial number of these parliamentarians play pivotal roles in the Parliamentary Standing Committees on Health and Family, Food Processing, and Industry.

Legislative Initiatives and Thoughtful Responses: Our endeavors have yielded 9 impactful letters authored by Members of Parliament and legislative assembly members, addressed to the Union Cabinet Health Minister. The thoughtful and considered responses we received underscore the recognition of our cause's significance.

Key Dialogues with Parliament Members: A significant milestone was achieved when Dr. Ashok Bajpai, a respected Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, engaged in correspondence with Shri Bhubneshwar Kalitha, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family. This dialogue culminated in a delegation meeting convened by Shri Kalitha, significantly amplifying our outreach and influence.

Endorsement from Esteemed Figures: Our initiative has garnered invaluable support from esteemed personalities, including Shri Sudhir Bharti, the Akhil Bharti Sangathan Mantri of Rastriya Seva Bharti (an RSS wing), Atal Foundation, and Samruddha Bharat Foundation (SBF). Their endorsements have fortified our cause and invigorated our resolve.

Round Table Discussion and Research Publication: A defining moment transpired during a round table discussion, convening seven Members of Parliament and influential political leaders. This event also marked the release of a study conducted across seven blocks in Bihar's Gaya and Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi districts. The study unveiled the financial dynamics of Dalit families, highlighting their allocation of 94% of income towards food, with 10-15% dedicated to processed and packaged foods.

Engagement with Food Industry Associations: Our interactions with food industry associations culminated in a highly successful sensitization workshop. This collaborative endeavor brought together representatives from over 14 prominent companies within the food industry. It facilitated a constructive dialogue about the significance of FOPL, with notable participation and support from a member of parliament and the national organizer of Congress Seva Dal.

Civil Society Engagement and FSSAI Acknowledgment: Our commitment to raising awareness materialized through three impactful gatherings of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) held in Varanasi, Patna, and Lucknow. These gatherings, focusing on Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labels (FOPNL), resonated with the participation of 4731 individuals. This diverse group of signatories, ranging from religious leaders to intellectual groups (prabhudh samiti), political parties, and mothers, fervently rallied behind our cause.

A remarkable highlight is the direct response we received from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to a concerned mother. Furthermore, our cause garnered extensive media coverage, including endorsement from saints and intellectuals of Kashi, as reported by the IANS Live media agency. This news story was prominently featured in over 200 newspapers, significantly amplifying our reach and impact.

Impact on Child Rights and Government Backing: Our unwavering commitment achieved a momentous milestone when the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights mandated adherence to the FSSAI regulation "Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Healthy Diet for School Children) 2019" in Uttar Pradesh. This achievement was further reinforced by the endorsement of our initiative by the state governments of Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

Extensive Media Engagement: Our accomplishments were significantly fortified through a well-rounded media outreach strategy, encompassing thought-provoking op-eds, in-depth features, and a consistent flow of updates across diverse social media platforms. Particularly noteworthy is our successful publication of six distinct special reports and op-eds, coupled with an impressive execution of seven media campaigns. These endeavors have culminated in substantial visibility, garnering recognition through 175 publications across both online and print media.

Advocating for Health: PVCHR Delegation Meets NHRC Registrar to Discuss Warning Labels on Ultra-Processed Foods: On June 23rd, 2023, a delegation from the Peoples’ Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) engaged in a meeting with Shri Surajit Dey, Registrar of the National Human Rights Commission (#NHRC). The focus of the discussion was the implementation of warning labels (#FOPL) on ultra-processed foods, with a specific emphasis on safeguarding the health of children, youths, and women. This strategic approach serves as a potent measure to mitigate the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Driving Change: Mobilizing Stakeholders for Prime Ministerial Letters and Amplifying Advocacy: Presently, we are in the process of mobilizing a diverse array of stakeholders with the aim of gathering a minimum of five hundred and a maximum of two thousand signatures for letters addressed to the Prime Minister. I have taken the initiative to personally draft a letter to the Prime Minister, prompting the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to subsequently issue a communication to Shri Minhaj Alam, Additional Secretary, Food Processing Industries (PMOPG/D/2023/0168055). Additionally, Shruti Nagvanshi has penned an exclusive article highlighting this correspondence, which has been featured on the prominent news portal, Youth ki Awaaz: Article Link. In line with our efforts, PVCHR has launched an online petition campaign that has already garnered 353 signatures: Petition Link.