Should package food content be labelled?

Context: A new report published by Access to Nutrition Initiative
(ATNi) a non-profit global foundation, has found that leading food and beverage
(F&B) companies, on average, sell products that are less healthy in
low-and-middle income countries (LMICs) compared to what they sell in
high-income countries (HICs). This report, which is the fifth edition of the
‘Global Access to Nutrition Index’, states that it assessed 30 of the world’s
largest F&B manufacturers, 23% of the global F&B market on their
performance to improve access to nutritious foods. India is staring at a
Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) burden of epic proportions, an estimated 10.13
crore Indians have diabetes, and as per National Family Health Survey 5 data,
obesity stands at 24% among women and 23% among men.

Key points

·      
Overview: The report analysed 52,414 products including those
from popular brands such as Nestle, Pepsico, Unilever, Coca-Cola and Hershey
among others using a health star rating system.

·      
Access to
Nutrition Initiative (ATNi): ATNi
(Access to Nutrition initiative) is a global foundation actively challenging
the food industry, investors and policymakers to shape healthier food systems.
We analyse and translate data into actionable insights, driving partnerships
and innovations for market transformation so that all people have access to
nutritious and sustainable food.

·      
ATNi’s
reports: The ATNi report found that
‘portfolio healthiness’ was found to be lowest in LMICs, highlighting
disparities in products offered across different markets. Food product
healthiness in LMICs scored much lower — 1.8 on the system — than in HICs where
it scored 2.3.

·      
National
Family Health Survey 5: The NFHS-5
has captured the data during 2019-20 and has been conducted in around 6.1 lakh
households. NFHS-5 data will be useful in setting benchmarks and examining the
progress the health sector has made over time. NFHS-5 includes some new topics,
such as preschool education, disability, access to a toilet facility, death
registration, bathing practices during menstruation, and methods and reasons
for abortion.

·      
Labelling
Regulations for Packaged Food: Empowerment
- It will empower the consumers to make informed decisions.

Enhancing Public Health - The proposed changes to food regulations will enhance public health,
combatting non-communicable diseases.

Export-based Employment - The portion of processed food in total agricultural exports almost
doubled from 2014-15 to 2022-23, reaching around 26%. Adopting global food
regulations will create more opportunities for growth and export-based
employment.

·      
Challenges
in food safety regulation in India: Simply showing nutritional information in big fonts isn’t enough if
consumers don’t understand its importance or the health risks it signals. Harmful
substances in popular Indian spice brands and extra sugar in baby food were
detected through testing done abroad by a foreign NGO.

·      
Way
forward: Raising public awareness
about recommended dietary allowances and their connection to saturated fat,
sodium, and sugar is essential. Public health departments at both the central
and state levels should conduct awareness campaigns to educate the public. There
is a need to encourage better food choices that can alleviate strain on
healthcare systems. The food regulator must set clear standards and ensure all
food companies follow them to keep consumers safe and maintain trust.