Eyeing at reducing fat consumption, FSSAI to introduce new guidelines for packaged food soon

New Delhi, May 17 (KNN) Food regulator authority FSSAI will be laying out new set of guidelines to label packaged food products. The new guidelines will be based on an expert panel’s suggestions aiming to reduce the consumption of fat food and raise food safety standards in the country.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority (FASSAI) will also be formulating a definition of ‘junk’ foods.

Pawan Kumar Agarwal, CEO of FSSAI in a press interaction informed about the step. He also said that while the FSSAI is considering the expert panels suggestion regarding labelling of food products, it is not possible for the Authority to implement all the suggestions by the panel.

The expert panel suggestions include recommendation of laying out extra tax on highly processed food items and sugar intense beverages, responding to which Aggarwal said FSSAI has limited jurisdiction and cant implement these suggestions.

Also the panel suggested ban on the commercials of junk foods on television channels that are meant for kids.

Aggarwal also informed that the FSSAI is collaborating with various companies and academic organizations and also with the Government bodies to work on Food Safety Training and Certification programs.

Also the FSSAI recently have launched an interactive portal for information to the consumers on different aspects of nutrition. Also  grievances can be lodged using the portal. (KNN/ DA)