Most regulations, be it for food or drugs or cosmetics, have one common requirement which states something like -- the declarations and claims “should be not misleading, false, or exaggerated”.
Such a requirement comes from a natural justice point of view that no consumer should be cheated and declarations should be factual. When it comes to foods and label declarations related to either nutrition content and levels or health benefits detailed guidelines, requirements and nature and extent of proof to support the declarations have been laid down. The Foods Safety and Standards Act of India also does this.
One aspect time and again is raised and a number of people, from various sectors, ask me is – when can a product claim that it is natural? (an additional Indian version of this is when can a product claim it is herbal?). More consumers ask me this question after they have watched or heard media advertisements claiming products to be natural or herbal. It is appropriate that the current position on this is explored which is attempted in this column.
It should have been rather easy to say what is natural. But trying to define or give a guideline or even put a regulatory definition is not easy as would be realised by the time reading this write up is completed. Most common way to put would be things that exist in nature and are cultivated, grown, obtained by digging the soil or deep inside the earth or water is natural. It is not that simple. “From a food science perspective, it is difficult to define a food product that is ‘natural’ because the food has probably been processed and is no longer the product of the earth” says information available on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) United States’ website.
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Esta historia es de la edición September 2016 de Nuffoods Spectrum.
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Healthy Products Set To Become Popular
Health and wellness is set to continue to record strong value growth in the coming years due to rising consumer health awareness and disposable incomes. Naturally healthy products are also set to become increasingly popular, given the perception that they are healthier and less expensive than fortified/functional and Better For You alternatives.
New Guidelines Set For Lucrative Market For Imported Food
The imported food sector in India is growing strongly, albeit from a very small base, on the back of rising incomes, changing lifestyles and retail expansion. Changing lifestyles and the boom in organised retailing have resulted in growing demand for imported food and drink in India.
Old wine in a new bottle
Functional foods are also foods that have components or ingredients added to give it a specific medical or physiological benefit in addition to a purely nutritional effect.
Budget
What does the food processing sector expect from Union Budget 2017-18?
Platform for regulators, F&B to tighten screws in food biz
Food scandals have been making headlines in India in the recent past. Launched and conceptualised by Inventicon Business Intelligence Pvt Ltd., the Third Annual Food Quality & Safety Congress India (FQS) is one of the prominent conferences that brings regulators, F&B manufacturers with analytical services and testing companies together to discuss best practices in aligning food quality and safety systems with FSSAI’s changes and instrumentation standards.
Industry Looks For Active Regulatory Control
The growth in nutraceuticals is seen largely driven by the consumer’s lifestyle that is impacted by faster pace of life, thereby taking a toll on health and wellness.
Drink technology India focus on Industry 4.0 concept
The drink technology India conference on packaging design, innovation and technology, organised by IPPStra and Messe Dusseldorf, addressed the packaging development cycle and workflow across the supply chain, with focus on the Industry 4.0 concept.
Skill Development Challenges Facing Food Analysis
Food analyst should have acumen to decide product category as stated in regulations, applicable test methods and specifications to be followed.
Rural FMCG Market Offers Better Growth Opportunities
Rural FMCG Market Offers Better Growth Opportunities
Securing Food Safety In The Nutra-Chain
Securing Food Safety In The Nutra-Chain