Fssai ropes in IIM-A for report on front-of-pack labelling

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has roped in premier B-school IIM-Ahmedabad to conduct a detailed report on impact on consumers on front-of-labelling for packaged and processed foods in India, the most debated regulation for foods packaging which has been in consultation stages since seven years. This is the first time such an external entity is being involved in the labelling guidelines.
“We have decided to mandate the study to an external institute of excellence, IIM-Ahmedabad, and expect the report within four-five months,” FSSAI chief executive Arun Singhal said. “Following that, we will release draft regulations and then final guidelines.”

He said the regulator organised consultations with various stakeholders to understand their concerns and decide on the best format for front-of-pack labelling, during which it was felt that an extensive survey was required to understand consumer preferences.

“Five options are being considered, which will be shown to different consumers,” Singhal said. These could be multiple traffic light signs, nutri scores similar to what is practised in some European countries, health star ratings, which are used in Australia, or so on. “Such labelling will be shown to consumers and depending on their feedback, we will consider the best possible formats,” he added.

The revised regulations will not have as many categories as previously, and are expected to be much simpler. In some of the previous proposals for example, there were as many as 115 sub-categories.

The issue has been in consultation stage for seven years, with processed and packaged foods companies conveying reluctance on the same. While there have been multiple panels and discussions with stakeholders, there’s been no final outcome yet. Singhal said now there has been consensus with stakeholders, including industry and consumer groups.