Measures taken to raise public awareness for UPFs

Measures taken to raise public awareness for UPFs

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is mandated to lay down science-based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption. The implementation and enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006 is a shared responsibility between the Central and State Governments.

FSSAI has undertaken awareness measure called ‘Aaj se Thoda Kam’ to address the adverse effects of consuming foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. It encourages consumers to gradually reduce their intake of fat, salt, and sugar through dietary modifications.

FSSAI has also undertaken awareness campaign “Har Label Kuch Kehta Hai” under the ‘Eat Right India’ movement on social media to promote food safety consciousness and healthy eating habits across India. This awareness campaign focuses on empowering consumers to make informed dietary choices by enhancing their understanding of food labels. Food labels contain crucial information about a product’s nutritional value, ingredients, and potential allergens.

FSSAI has notified the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, which lay down comprehensive provisions relating to the labelling of pre-packaged foods. Further, FSSAI has also notified the Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Regulations, 2020 outlining the responsibilities of school authorities to ensure the availability of safe and nutritious food on school premises while also promoting balanced diets in and around school campuses.

FSSAI is fully committed to ensure the availability of safe food products to the consumers across the country. Towards this, regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection and random sampling of various food products are conducted throughout the year by the officials of Food Safety Departments of the respective States/ UTs to check compliance with the quality and safety parameters and other requirements as laid down under FSS Act, 2006, rules & regulations made there under.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri. Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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