Nowadays, people want everything instantly. What started with Maggi in two minutes has now evolved into ready-to-eat food. There are numerous food products on the market in powder form. You buy them, open the packet, heat them on the stove or oven for two minutes, and they’re ready to eat. From button chicken to roti, everything is available in frozen form.
We often buy and consume packets of chips, cookies, namkeen, packaged momos, or roti. Very few people turn the packet over to see whether the food they’re consuming is beneficial or harmful. If you carefully read the contents of the packet, you can protect yourself and your family from life-threatening diseases.
What is front-of-pack labelling?
Front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) refers to labels on the front of a food product’s packaging. It describes the main ingredients in simple language. So that consumers can immediately understand how healthy the product they are purchasing is.
Why is ‘front-of-pack labeling’ necessary?
‘Front-of-pack labelling’ is necessary to help consumers quickly and clearly understand the health impact of packaged food when making purchases. ‘Front-of-pack labelling’ also helps differentiate between healthy and unhealthy foods.
Where can nutritional information be found?
This information is usually listed in a tabular form on the back or side of packaged foods. This information also indicates the nutritional value per 100 grams, per 100 ml, or per serving.
What did the SC say about ‘front-of-pack labeling’?
The Supreme Court has asked the FSSAI to seriously consider implementing ‘front-of-pack labeling’ on packaged foods to help consumers understand potential health risks at the point of purchase. By reading the nutrition facts, people can determine how healthy a food is for them. This will indirectly reduce the risk of serious diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
What are the dangerous ingredients in packaged food?
Packaged food contains harmful ingredients such as sugar, high salt, trans fat, refined carbohydrates, preservatives, sodium nitrate, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial food colours, and monosodium glutamate. Their continued consumption can harm body parts like the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
Obesity is a serious health epidemic in India.
Obesity has become a serious health epidemic in India, currently affecting over 350 million people. This number is projected to reach 450 million by 2050. This is primarily due to unhealthy lifestyles, excessive consumption of processed foods, and limited physical activity. Obesity rates are higher in women than in men.
