Context:

Recently, the FSSAI has proposed that total salt, sugar, and saturated fat be displayed in bold letters and larger font sizes on the food packaging. 

Key Highlights

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved revisions to nutritional information labelling on packaged foods. It has advocated for bold and larger font displays of total salt, sugar, and saturated fat to aid consumer understanding and promote healthier choices. 
• Consequently, the FSSAI recently approved an amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020.

About the Amendment 

• The amendment aims to empower consumers through clearer nutritional information on food items, with the draft notification now open for public input.

Advancing Public Health Initiatives

• The regulatory update underscores the role of transparent labelling in combatting Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and promoting public health. 
• It requires highlighting the percentage contribution to Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for sugar, saturated fat, and sodium, enabling consumers to make an informed decision.

Other initiatives by FSSAI

• FSSAI continues to issue advisories to e-commerce websites for removal of the term 'Health Drink' from labels as it is not defined or standardized anywhere under the FSSAI Regulations 
• It has also recently asked all Food Business Operators (FBOs) to remove any claim of '100% fruit juices' from the labels and advertisements of reconstituted fruit juices.

About the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

• It is a statutory body established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• It is governed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. 

The FSSAI is responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of food in India. It does this by:

• Setting standards for food products
• Regulating the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of food
• Licensing food businesses
• Facilitating the import and export of food
• Providing training and education on food safety
• Promoting awareness about food safety and healthy eating habits