How accurate are food labels with regards to nutritional labeling and helping make the consumer more aware of his health/ nutritional needs.

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Luring Food Labels - Attention Grabbers or Trustworthy Buddies? The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had notified the PFA (Prevention of Food Adulteration) in 2008 that it is mandatory for the manufacturers of the packaged foods to declare the nutritional information on their products in the form of labels, and an insignia from the companies like ISO, FPO and/or AGMARK after quality check was done. These criteria were set to enable consumers to make informed choices while buying food products. The question being begged here, is whether these practices are being enforced with and followed by the packaged food industry? For example, it is mandatory to put the green and red dots to indicate vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods respectively, but how strictly is this requirement followed?

Worse yet, in some cases these dots aren’t even visible on all packs?

The Indian consumer of late has become extremely skeptical as time and again there have seen unscrupulous manufacturers trying to break the law with false claims. What we urgently need are two actionable rules -

Accurate and meaningful nutritional information be listed clearly on all food packages.
A federally mandated regulatory body that checks and enforces compliance to the declared information and guidelines that manufacturers adhere to all the regulations laid by PFA, ISO, FPO and AGMARK instead of merely marking as such.

If such simple measures were put in place, then having the nutritional label with nutrients `to be listed accurately,’ is not a distant dream even for India!

Until then, don’t shop for groceries with your eyes shut or have a grab on the run kind of attitude, instead be an informed consumer and a savvy foodie with nutrition always on your mind!

By Sangeetha Narayana Swamy & Vijayalakshmi Iyengar
Senior Dietitians, Nutritionvista.com

References:

NutritionVista

User Comments

21 October, 2011 | Vijayalakshmi Iyengar | Reply

To help contain and then reduce endemic obesity The Institute of Medicine* has suggested an additional new labeling - a logo of sorts on packaged food sold in grocery stores.
It would consist of stars or some other simple symbol with a zero-to-3 rating and would give consumers a quick assessment of its nutrition value, similar to the Energy Star rating on appliances. A "zero" on foods that are high in added sugars, saturated and trans fats, and sodium will tell consumers to avoid it as the food is unhealthy.

People are so busy and there are so many products to choose from. If there is a system that could very quickly, almost instantly, identify which foods are healthier in terms of reducing chronic disease risk for children and adults."It's up to the companies to make products that are healthy

*The Institute of Medicine is an arm of the National Academies, a collection of scholars chartered by Congress to give scientific advice to the public.

13 July, 2011 | Sonali Gupta | Reply

Consumers often compare prices of food items in the grocery store to choose the best value for money. But comparing items using the food label can help us choose the best value for our health. The food label is one of the most valuable tools we as consumers have. For example, someone with high blood pressure who needs to watch salt (sodium) intake may have a choice of five different types of tomato soup on the rack. One can quickly and easily compare the sodium content of each product by looking at the part of the label that lists nutrition information to choose the one with the lowest sodium content.

13 July, 2011 | Sonali Gupta | Reply

13 July, 2011 | Mrinal Jhangiani | Reply

Hi Sonali, I didn't think of it that way but you are right - there is added value in those items that suit our health needs.
Yes, a lower sodium content soup can is better, but 'fresh is best' when ever one has time to cook. Its easy to pressure cook soup and make enough for 3-4 days.
:)

29 June, 2011 | Parul Bhatnagar | Reply

Hi Friends,
It is very important to start reading food labels for you and your family.It is like a guide for you which explain ingredients and nutritive value of the product.It can help you to decide whether the food item is appropriate for your health conditions and fits into healthy eating plan.

28 June, 2011 | Vijaylakshmi Reddy | Reply

Nice post. Hope India too catches up on there mandatory regulations very soon.

11 July, 2011 | Vijayalakshmi Iyengar | Reply

As there is a change in customer food preferences today, the Indian food market is witnessing unparalleled change and growth. It therefore propels the need for information to be provided on packages for people to make
informed choices.
The Government of India plans make labeling on all processed foods compulsory within three months, as part of a national program promoting cardiovascular health. I hope this gets priority and the Bill is passed.

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