Lawmaker Duo Advocates For Caution In Implementing New Food Labelling Rules

Varanasi, April 26 (TNA) Ashok Bajpai, a Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh, and Bholanath, a Lok Sabha MP, discussed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's (FSSAI) much-awaited Star Rating food label based FOPL regulation. In a letter to the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Bholanath advocated that Lenin Raghuvanshi be given an opportunity to present his case in the next FOPL committee meeting.

Quoting the letter, Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Bajpai said that front-of-pack labeling with warnings would empower consumers to make healthier choices, while food labeling with both negative and positive nutritional information would help consumers make informed decisions. He urged for a strong and mandatory FOPL regulation with warning labels instead of the Indian Nutrition Rating (by Star) for the healthy future of women, youth, and children.

Raghuvanshi from the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) welcomed this initiative and recently met Bhubaneswar Kalita to advocate for warning level FOPL to help consumers make healthier choices by knowing how much sugar, fat, and salt are in packaged foods.

Bhubaneswar Kalita has assured that the public should get full information about the nutritional value of canned food through FOPL regulation, and the matter will be placed before the parliamentary committee to take appropriate steps.

Lok Sabha MP Bholanath suggested through a letter that the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights strengthen the draft by clearly indicating in the regulation the Front of Pack Nutritional Labeling (FOPNL) and easy-to-understand warnings about the excess of sugar and salt.

He also suggested that food companies be given one year instead of four years to work in favor of people. In reply, the Union Health Minister noted the suggestions of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) and promised to consider them appropriately during the draft review.