Explained: Star Rating System For Packaged Food Items That FSSAI Plans To Introduce

In order to discourage the consumption of food items that are high in sugar, fats, and salt, India's food regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has recently issued a draft notification. As per the notification, it is essential for pre-packaged food items to carry health ratings, i.e., Indian Nutritional Ratings (INR). These ratings would be similar to the energy efficiency ratings on electronic goods.

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The decision is based on the recommendations of a study done by IIM Ahmedabad. The food authority had commissioned a survey in which a sample size of 20,500 people was taken.

A time period of two months has been given to the stakeholders to submit their suggestions and feedback to the draft notification. They can either send their inputs to the FSSAI's Chief Executive Officer at the authority's office or send the email at regulation@fssai.gov.in.

How would the INR be calculated?

The ratings may vary from 1/2 stars, which would be considered least healthy, to 5 stars which would be considered the healthiest. They would be calculated based on the proportions of sugar, fruits, and vegetables, nuts, dietary fiber, saturated fat, sodium, positive nutrients per 100 grams of solid food or, in the case of liquid food, positive nutrients per 100 ml present in the food product.

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The presentation of such information on the food product can be either in the form of a chart or a symbol that breaks down the nutritional information for the consumers to make an informed choice. Besides, the star assigned to a product needs to be in close proximity to the brand name or the product's name on the front of the packaging.

There are certain food items that are exempted from following the rating system, such as milk and its products, egg-based products, sandwich, salad spreads, etc.

In order to generate the star-rating logo for their products, the food businesses might need to use the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal to submit the nutritional portfolios of their products.

What is the contention raised by experts?

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According to public health experts, including Dr. K Srikanth Reddy, president of the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), a ¡®warning label¡¯ would be more effective than a ¡®star rating method.¡¯ In addition, a colored warning label would be the most efficient in case the product consumers cannot read. They presented that the health rating system was also adopted by countries such as Australia and New Zealand, and so far, it has not resulted in any concrete behavior change in the users.

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In India, to date, packaged food products carry Back Of Package (BOP) nutrient information. The new draft notification, along with experts, contend that if the nutrient information is printed on the front of the package (FOP), it can significantly influence purchasing habits, and the details would be less likely to be ignored. On the other hand, it can also discourage consumers from purchasing certain products, which can impact food companies such as Nestle, Hindustan Unilever, etc.

The proposal to implement a rating system comes in the backdrop of the rising cases of non-communicable diseases in India. Currently, close to 60% of the deaths are attributable to such diseases.

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