By Aditya Kalra
Stricter rules would be introduced in a second phase, it said. The nationwide debate on food safety has intensified since Reuters reported last month that India’s government opted for a weaker labelling regime after lobbying by Coca-Cola and groups backing Nestle and PepsiCo, which argued warning labels were ineffective. After years of delays, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India last month suggested a two-phased labelling programme, starting with red-coloured hexagonal warning labels on products that exceeded limits in at least two of three categories — added sugar, salt or saturated fat. The announcement came as India’s federal and state food regulators pursued an aggressive enforcement drive, with surprise raids on eateries uncovering poor hygiene and leading to many forced closures, stoking anger among consumers. Many companies, however, have implemented such measures voluntarily in European markets. FOOD INDUSTRY RAISES CONCERNS India’s food and drinks market is key for foreign players including Nestle, Unilever, Mondelez and Mars, whose food products compete in a thriving industry that also includes big Indian firms such as ITC and Dabur.
NEW DELHI, Sept 10 – India’s government on Thursday told the Supreme Court it was open to tougher red warnings on food packaging after health activists said its earlier proposal was too easy on companies, in a potential blow to the $100 billion food industry.
All India Food Processors’ Association, which represents dozens of Indian and foreign food giants, has called for a review of the planned health labels on packaging, saying many staples risk being covered in warnings that will tarnish the image of Indian food globally.
