ICMR warns of misleading food labels on packaged items
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has issued a warning about potentially misleading food labels on packaged items. It highlighted that sugar-free foods might be high in fats, and packed fruit juices could contain as little as 10% fruit pulp. In its recently issued dietary guidelines, the ICMR stated that health claims on packaged food are designed to catch consumer attention and convince them that the product is healthy.
ICMR's dietary guidelines highlight misleading health claims
Despite strict norms by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI), the information presented in labels could be misleading, it said. This warning was issued by the Hyderabad-based National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) under ICMR, highlighting how manufacturers often misuse terms like "natural." The NIN explained that a food product can be labeled "natural" if it doesn't have added colors and flavors or artificial substances and undergoes minimal processing.
NIN explains misuse of 'Natural' label on packaged foods
However, manufacturers often use this term loosely to identify one or two natural ingredients in the mix, which can be misleading, the NIN said. It highlighted that the term 'Made with whole grain' could be misinterpreted as it doesn't necessarily imply that the food items are not tertiary or ultra-processed. When a food label says 'organic,' it may simply mean that it's free from all artificial preservatives, and that the food ingredients are free from pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
Misinterpretation of 'Made with whole grain' and 'Organic' labels
If the above conditions are met, then the label can state 100% organic and bear the 'Jaivik Bharat' logo approved by the FSSAI. While nutrition and health claims are regulated by FSSAI, consumers are advised to cross-check the claims with ingredients and nutrition information on the label. The guidelines also recommended checking the 'date of manufacture' and 'use-by date', indicating that product quality and safety could deteriorate beyond these dates, increasing the risk of food poisoning.
