Strengthening Public Health Advocacy: A Plea for Front-of-Pack Warning Labels Delivered to Hon'ble Shri Harivansh Ji

 

Strengthening Public Health Advocacy: A Plea for Front-of-Pack Warning Labels Delivered to Hon'ble Shri Harivansh Ji

๐Ÿ“… Posted on: July 30, 2025
✍️ By Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi

In our ongoing mission to safeguard the health and rights of India’s most vulnerable populations, the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), in collaboration with PIPAL – People’s Initiative for Participatory Action for Food Labelling, submitted a formal appeal to Shri Harivansh Ji, Hon’ble Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, urging parliamentary action for mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPL) on ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

This letter, dated 17 July 2025, was delivered through multiple channels to ensure due attention:

✅ Sent by post and email for official documentation
✅ Personally handed over to Shri Harivansh Ji by Shri Vyomesh Shukla during the program of Nagarik Pracharini Sabha on 18 July 2025 in Varanasi

The Heart of the Request

We urged Shri Harivansh Ji to support regulatory action for a strong, science-based FOPL system following the WHO-SEARO Nutrient Profile Model, especially given the alarming rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity driven by ultra-processed food consumption.

The letter highlights:

  • Evidence-based policy need: FOPL empowers consumers to make informed dietary choices.

  • Impact on the marginalized: UPFs disproportionately harm under-literate and economically weaker sections.

  • Parliamentary action: Requested debate in the Rajya Sabha and engagement with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health.

  • Timely implementation: Urged a clear 12-month rollout with marketing restrictions for products targeting children.

Background: Advocacy Milestones

This appeal builds on years of sustained advocacy:

๐Ÿ“ MPs Roundtable (March 2023): Consensus on FOPL as a public health necessity.
๐Ÿ“ NHRC Petition (Sept 2021): NHRC directed FSSAI to act, but implementation lags remain.
๐Ÿ“ National Dialogue (May 2022): Experts from AIIMS and IIPS called for urgent reforms.
๐Ÿ“ Economic Survey 2024–25: Now acknowledges the danger of UPFs, thanks to civil society pressure.

Why This Matters

India is on the brink of a nutrition crisis, and regulatory delay only strengthens the hands of the food industry over public health. FOPL is a simple, effective, and globally accepted measure to tackle this crisis.

๐Ÿ›‘ It is not just a health issue—
๐Ÿ›‘ It is a human rights and equity issue.

Looking Ahead

We are hopeful that Shri Harivansh Ji, known for his deep commitment to social justice, will help amplify this issue in Parliament. We remain ready to collaborate with policymakers, experts, and institutions to move from awareness to action.

Together, let us label the truth, protect public health, and empower every Indian to make safer food choices.

#FOPLNow #RightToHealth #StopJunkFoodMarketing #PublicHealthJustice #UltraProcessedFoods #LabelTheTruth #RajyaSabha #PVCHR #PIPAL #FoodLabellingReform

Strengthening Public Health Advocacy: A Plea for Front-of-Pack Warning Labels Delivered to Hon'ble Shri Har... by pvchr.india9214 on Scribd

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