New Delhi, Aug 13 (IANS) — The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has called on the food manufacturing sector to make “truthful and honest declarations” on product labels and packaging to help consumers make informed, safe, and healthy choices.
Speaking at the National Stakeholder Consultation on Comprehensive Analysis of Regulatory Framework on Food Labelling, Advertisement and Claims at Vigyan Bhawan, Health and Family Welfare Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava stressed the importance of ethical practices in food labelling and advertising.
“Today, we are exposed to the entire world, which means adopting best practices and subjecting food products to closer scrutiny. In this fast-moving environment, consultations like this are vital,” she said.
Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare echoed the sentiment, urging the industry to be transparent about product contents and to avoid misleading advertisements or manipulative marketing. “Food labelling should not just be a marketing tool but a foundation of trust between manufacturers and consumers,” she said.
The consultation brought together around 700 participants, including government officials, scientific experts, and food business representatives, to review existing regulations, address implementation challenges, and explore alignment with global standards for stronger consumer protection and public health.
Part of a national series of stakeholder dialogues, the event aims to integrate input from industry, academia, consumer groups, farmers, and regulators to ensure that policies remain practical and aligned with public health goals.
