Why Food Labelling Matters for Kids’ Health and Safety

Whenever you buy packaged food such as a packet of chips, a box of cookies, a tin of chocolates or any other packaged food product, you must notice that the packaging contains important information about the product. On the package, you can find details like the ingredients used in product, nutritional value, date of manufacture, expiry date, allergen warnings, storage instructions and manufacturer’s name.

This information is very important for kids’ health and safety. It helps parents choose right food, avoid harmful ingredients and make sure children eat safe and healthy food.

FSSAI Food Labelling Guidelines

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the main authority that controls the food industry in India. It makes sure that food sold in the market is safe for people to eat. To do this, the Authority has notified certain food labeling rules that all companies must follow. These rules are of utmost importance because they help protect the health and safety of all consumers, including children. Some of the main rules by the Authority are as follows:

• The package must clearly show the name of the food product.
• It must list all ingredients used in the product, starting with the ingredient used in the largest amount. For example, if a food product contains maida the most, the same should appear first in the ingredients list.
• The packaging must show nutrition details like calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates and sugar. This helps consumers make the right choice about what to eat. For example, if a product is high in sugar, people having diabetes can avoid it.
• Additionally, it must show whether the food is vegetarian or non-vegetarian using the correct symbol.
• The packaging must display the FSSAI logo and the 14-digit FSSAI license number of the company.
• It must state manufacturing date, packing date and expiry/best before date.
• It must also include batch / lot number so product can be tracked if there’s a need to do so.

Bournvita: A Real-Life Example of Importance of Food Labelling

Bournvita is a very well-known drink in India. It has been used in many homes for many years. In the past, many parents used to buy it for their children because they thought it helps in growth and good nutrition.

For a long time, Bournvita and similar products were sold as “health drinks.” But later, food rules showed an important issue. The term “health drink” is not clearly defined in Indian food laws. Because there is no legal definition, regulators said this label can confuse people. So, FSSAI asked online shopping websites to remove Bournvita and similar products from the “health drinks” category and put them in their correct food category as per the law.

After this, the Ministry of Commerce also told e-commerce platforms to stop using the “health drinks” category for such beverages. This example shows why food labeling is very important. What is written on a food packet can affect what people buy, especially parents buying food for children. Clear labels help people understand the real product, avoid confusion and make better and safer choices regarding food and health.

Also Read: How to Get FSSAI License for Home Kitchen

Conclusion

Food labeling is very important for everyone. This statement is especially true for children who are still growing and require proper nutrition. Proper labelling of food products helps people know what really is inside the packaged food without even opening/tearing the packaging. Clear labels show ingredients, nutrition and safety details and help parents choose food that is safe and healthy for their kids. The food labelling rules set forth by food regulator FSSAI make sure all food companies give accurate information regarding their food on the packaging.

If you need assistance in FSSAI registration or in ensuring compliance with food labelling and packaging regulations, you can get in touch with consultants at Registrationwala.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is it mandatory for food businesses to display FSSAI logo and license number on their food packaging?
A. Yes, it is mandatory to do this. Every food package must clearly show FSSAI logo as well as the 14 digit FSSAI license number. Failure to comply with this requirement can result in heavy fines and penalties and in some cases, the non compliant businesses can even face legal action.

Q2. Which authority makes food labelling guidelines?
A. The Indian food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India makes food labeling guidelines in India.