Devil's in the Detail

Seven years, four committees and two draft regulations later, India still does not have a clear labelling system to warn consumers about harmful levels of fat, salt and sugar hiding in processed foods. These ingredients are responsible for the growing burden of obesity and noncommunicable diseases. But a powerful industry and a hesitant food regulator are busy derailing all efforts.

- AMIT KHURANA and SONAL DHINGRA

HERE’S A riddle. How much is the salt intake if you eat five tablespoons of a namkeen from a pack that mentions 1,070 mg of sodium per 100 g? If you have trouble calculating that, try answering this one: How much sugar and fat does a child get on eating three-fourths of a regular-sized chocolate bar that has a serve size of 15 g?

Most of us do not usually prefer to make calculations while snacking or eating a sweet. Those who do watch their calorie intake, find it extremely difficult to read the small print of nutritional information mentioned on food or beverage packets. As per the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011, every pre-packed processed food product sold in the country must be labelled with nutritional information. This helps the consumer know everything about the food they buy and make an informed decision about what, and how much, to eat. Such information is particularly crucial because packaged food industry has been globally indicted for peddling ultra-processed foods that are high in fat, salt or sugar and low in fibre and other essential micronutrients. On the one hand, these foods cause malnutrition and on the other hand they are linked strongly with obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases, such as type-2 diabetes, hypertension, heart ailments and certain cancers, like that of the colon. All these increase the risk of premature death.