Playing with health: Preparing to adopt Health Star rating instead of warning on packaged food, exercise of relaxation instead of strictness

A star rating will not indicate that the product contains salt, sugar or fat in excess of the norm.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is set to replace the “warning” with Health Star Rating (HSR) on packaged food items. This system, implemented in only two countries of the world, has been ineffective. Scientific studies also show that Due to this people are not alert about harmful food.

Health experts say that through the exercise of HSR, a way out of the rescue of companies is being taken. A star rating will not indicate that the product contains salt, sugar or fat in excess of the norm. A good rating can be taken by increasing protein and fiber even in unhealthy food.

An FSSAI official, in a meeting of consumer organizations held on June 25, told HSR the only option. Whereas it was not mentioned in the opinion polls from January to May. Consumer organizations did not agree to this. In a meeting held on June 30, FSSAI decided to conduct a survey by an organization like IIM for the selection of Front of Pack Labels (FOPL).

Actually, WHO has asked to write the amount of elements like sugar, fat, iodine in the food on the food packet. More than 10 countries including Mexico, Chile have made it mandatory, while more than 30 countries have implemented it voluntarily. Most have adopted the “high” label or “traffic light”. Star rating is applicable in Australia, New Zealand.

A University of North Carolina study found that “high-alert labeling reduced sales of products containing more calories, sugar, and salt,” says George Cherian, chairman of the NGO Cuts International and a member of the FSSAI Central Advisory Committee. The warning label is necessary. This lets the consumer know what quantity is in the item he is buying. Star rating is neutral in this.

India should learn lessons from Australia: Jones
Dr. Alexandra Jones, public health lawyer at The George Institute for Global Health, who has studied the ill effects of star ratings in Australia, told Bhaskar, “How are companies going to accept labels that reduce their sales. Health Star ratings are for them the “lowest”. Bad option. The star rating in Australia is on 41% of food packets. Most people don’t know what to eat in what quantity. India should take a lesson from this.