Answer

The recently released Global Access to Nutrition Index underscores the critical role of food labelling in improving public health, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) compared to high-income nations. Alarmingly, only 30% of companies focus on offering affordable healthier food options, highlighting a gap that requires targeted reforms. Reports like Public Eye and IBFAN stress the need for stricter global and Indian regulations to ensure equitable nutrition access.

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Challenges in Implementing Effective Food Labelling Regulations in India

• Lack of Mandatory Standards: Absence of mandatory front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) limits consumer awareness of unhealthy ingredients like sugars, fats, and sodium.
  For example: Despite recommendations from FSSAI, India has not fully adopted clear labelling standards as  in the case of Chile’s black warning labels.
• Resistance from Industry: Food and beverage companies often lobby against strict regulations, fearing impacts on sales and profitability.
  For example: Opposition from large corporations have delayed the implementation of proposed FSSAI-Health Star Ratings for packaged foods.
• Low Consumer Awareness: Many consumers, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, lack understanding of existing food labels and their health implications.
• Limited Enforcement: Weak regulatory mechanisms fail to ensure compliance with existing labelling norms, leading to misleading claims on food packaging.
  For example: Products marketed as “healthy” often contain hidden sugars and fats, misleading consumers.
• Fragmented Supply Chains: India’s unorganised food processing sector hampers the consistent application of labelling standards across products.
  For instance: Small-scale manufacturers often bypass labelling requirements due to resource constraints.

Improving Affordability of Healthier Food Options

• Taxation on Unhealthy Products: Impose higher taxes on sugary beverages and ultra-processed foods to discourage consumption and redirect funds toward healthy food programs.
  For example: Mexico’s sugar tax reduced the consumption of sugary drinks by 10% in the first year.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Collaborate with private companies to produce and distribute affordable, nutritious food in underserved areas.
  For example: Nestlé’s Iron-Fortified Milk Program targets undernourished communities with affordable fortified dairy products.
• Price Regulation Policies: Cap prices on essential healthy foods to make them accessible to economically weaker sections.
  For example: India’s Essential Commodities Act, 1955 ensures regulated pricing for staple foods, helping low-income families access nutrition.
• Subsidies for Nutritious Foods: Offer subsidies on healthier alternatives like fruits, vegetables, and fortified grains to reduce costs for consumers.
  For example: National Food Security Mission (2007) provides fortified rice at subsidised rates to low-income households.
• Nutrition Incentive Programs: Implement voucher or cash transfer programs incentivizing low-income households to purchase healthier food.
  For example: Brazil’s Bolsa Familia Program supports low-income families in accessing diverse and nutritious diets.

Improving Availability of Healthier Food Options

• Boost Agricultural Diversification: Promote the cultivation of nutrient-rich crops like millets, pulses, and fruits through incentives for farmers.
  For example: India’s International Year of Millets, 2023 initiative encouraged millet production, enhancing their availability.
• Strengthen Fortification Programs: Expand food fortification efforts to include more products like oils, dairy, and packaged snacks to improve nutritional quality.
  For example: FSSAI’s Food Fortification Initiative has increased the availability of fortified rice and wheat in India.
• Streamline Supply Chains: Invest in infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure the timely distribution of perishable, healthy foods.
  For example: Cold storage networks under Operation Greens improve the supply of fruits and vegetables in urban areas.
• Encourage Local Enterprises: Support local food producers and cooperatives to enhance access to affordable and healthier food options.
  For example: The Amul Model promotes dairy products enriched with essential nutrients, benefiting rural and urban consumers.
• Retail Regulation for Healthier Foods: Mandate that supermarkets and stores allocate shelf space for healthier food options to improve visibility.
  For example: The UK’s Healthy Food Placement Policy led to a rise in healthy food sales in retail stores.

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Way Ahead

• Adopt Mandatory Front-of-Pack Labels (FOPL): Implement clear and mandatory warning labels for high sugar, fat, and sodium content, as seen in Chile.
  For example: Warning labels on packaged foods in Chile reduced purchases of sugary beverages by 24%.
• Leverage Technology for Awareness: Develop mobile applications providing real-time nutritional information on food products to enhance consumer knowledge.
  For example: Apps like Eat Right India offer nutritional guidance to consumers, aligning with FSSAI’s goals.
• Strengthen Regulatory Bodies: Empower FSSAI with greater enforcement capabilities to monitor compliance and penalise violations effectively.
  For example: Enhanced monitoring systems can ensure widespread compliance with new labelling norms.
• Focus on School Nutrition Policies: Implement strict regulations on the sale of ultra-processed foods in schools to instil healthy eating habits early.
• Promote Consumer Awareness Campaigns: Launch nationwide campaigns to educate consumers on the importance of food labels and healthy eating.
  For example: FSSAI’s Eat Right Movement has raised awareness about balanced diets and the dangers of processed foods.

India’s rising Non Communicable Disease burden demands urgent action on food labelling and access to healthy options. By adopting front-of-pack labelling, improving food fortification, and promoting agricultural diversification, India can emulate successful models like Chile and Brazil. Aligning efforts with the National Nutrition Mission and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will ensure healthier, affordable, and accessible food for all, reducing health disparities across the country.

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