ICMR Warns: Packaged Food Labels May Mislead Consumers

May 12, 2024

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), through its Hyderabad-based National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) has recently highlighted potential misleading claims on packaged food labels. The ICMR’s dietary guidelines issued in May 2024 warn consumers that labels designed to attract attention may not accurately reflect the healthiness of the products.

Misleading Claims

The guidelines point out specific examples where food labelling can be deceptive as follows:

Sugar-Free Products: Often perceived as healthy, these products might be high in fats, hidden sugars like maltitol and fructose, and refined cereals, potentially leading to high caloric intake.
Packed Fruit Juices: Labels such as ‘real fruit or fruit juice’ can be misleading when the product contains as little as 10% actual fruit pulp, with the remainder being water, sugar, and other additives.
Whole Grain Misrepresentation: A ‘made with whole grain’ label does not necessarily mean the product isn’t heavily processed or that whole grains are the primary ingredient.
Organic Labels: For a product to be labelled as 100% organic, it must be free from artificial preservatives, flavours, colours, pesticides, and chemical fertilizers. This label is substantiated by the ‘Jaivik Bharat’ logo approved by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI).

Label Reading and Nutritional Claims

The guidelines urge consumers to meticulously read labels, focusing on:

Ingredients List: To verify the actual content against claims.
Nutrition Information: Checking serving sizes and nutritional facts such as calories, fats, sugars, and other nutrients based on the serving size mentioned.
Certifications and Logos: Understanding what each certification or logo (like ‘Jaivik Bharat’) actually represents.
Expiry Dates: Noting manufacture and use-by dates to ensure product freshness and safety.

Consumer Advisory

Despite rigorous regulations by FSSAI, the risk of misinterpretation remains. Consumers are advised to critically assess food labels to make informed dietary choices. Awareness is crucial, and understanding the distinction between ‘nutrition facts’ and ‘nutrition claims’ can guide healthier decisions. The dietary guidelines also emphasize the importance of understanding serving sizes and the actual amount per serving detailed on the label, to accurately calculate intake and manage dietary needs.

Notes on ICMR

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) was established in 1911 as the Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA).
ICMR’s headquarters are in New Delhi.
It operates under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The ICMR is involved in the formulation, coordination, and promotion of biomedical research in India.
It also manages a network of 26 national institutes addressing specific research topics.
ICMR played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic in India, especially in formulating testing protocols.

Notes on Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI)

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory body, established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
FSSAI is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety in India.
The headquarters of FSSAI is in New Delhi.
FSSAI is led by a Chairperson, who is appointed by the Central Government, and is in a position equivalent to Secretary to Government of India.
The authority also sets guidelines for the accreditation of laboratories for food testing.
FSSAI launched the ‘Eat Right Movement’ in 2018 to improve public health and combat negative nutritional trends to fight lifestyle diseases.
FSSAI is also responsible for setting standards for food articles and specifying an appropriate system of enforcing various standards.
The logo of FSSAI, which depicts a blue and orange handprint, is mandatory to be displayed on food products along with the FSSAI license number.

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