ICMR warns that food labels on packaged items can be deceptive. They emphasize the importance of consumers carefully reading the information provided to make wise and healthy choices.

Additionally, they caution that products labeled as "sugar-free" may actually be high in fats, and packed fruit juices might have as little as 10 percent fruit pulp.

ICMR warns that health claims on packaged food are crafted to grab consumers' attention and persuade them that the product is beneficial for their health, as stated in its latest dietary guidelines.

On Wednesday, the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), based in Hyderabad and under the apex health research body, issued dietary guidelines for Indians stating, "Though the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has strict norms, the information presented in labels could be misleading.” The NIN provided examples, explaining that a food item can be labeled as "natural" if it lacks added colours, flavours, or artificial substances and undergoes minimal processing. They emphasised the importance of reading labels thoroughly, especially the ingredients and other details, to verify these claims saying "This term is often used rather loosely. It is often used by manufacturers to identify one or two natural ingredients in the mix and this can be misleading.”

ICMR warns
Source: GK Today

The NIN explained that food products labeled as "real fruit or fruit juice" may contain only 10% or less actual fruit pulp, despite the claim. They also warned that items labeled "Made with whole grain" can still be heavily processed, contrary to what the label implies. They further clarified that "organic" labels signify the absence of artificial additives and the use of pesticide-free ingredients.

ICMR Warns on Misleading Sugar-Free Foods

ICMR warns that "sugar-free foods may be loaded with fats, refined cereals (white flour, starch) and even hidden sugars (maltitol, fructose, corn syrup, molasses)." These would imply high glycemic index and high calories in the food item," NIN stated. If a product meets both criteria mentioned earlier, it can be labeled as "100% organic" and display the 'Jaivik Bharat' logo approved by the FSSAI. Additionally, the NIN noted that people often assume sugar-free foods are low in calories and beneficial for diabetics and those watching their weight.

ICMR warns
Source: Down To Earth

While FSSAI regulates nutrition and health claims, consumers are advised to verify these claims by checking the ingredients and nutrition details on the label, as recommended by the guidelines.

The guidelines also point out that manufacturers sometimes make inaccurate or incomplete claims on their food product labels. Nutrition facts and nutrition claims are often confused. Nutrition claims, like 'low calorie' or 'high fibre,' imply specific nutritional properties but must be backed by actual values or nutritional facts for completeness.

The guidelines, in collaboration with ICMR warns on the significance of the 'date of manufacture' and 'use-by date,' warning that consuming products beyond the use-by date could heighten the risk of food poisoning due to potential quality and safety deterioration. The label's 'nutrition facts' section includes a crucial detail: the 'serving size.' This information is pivotal because all nutrition values displayed are based on this specified serving size, as per the guidelines.

ICMR Warns on Serving Size and Label Accuracy

ICMR warns that the serving size on labels can be expressed in various ways depending on the type of food. Common measures include grams, cups, scoops, and pieces. While grams are frequently used, other units might also be mentioned, although less often. The guidelines recommended checking the net weight of a packet, which indicates the total product amount. Nutrition labels typically show information per serving size (100g/100ml), but packages may contain multiple servings or exceed the 100g/100ml standard.

"Check how many servings per ml/g is being used against the number of serving unit used for presenting nutrition facts. According to the amount of food item being used, assess calories and other nutrients in the portion being used," the guidelines said.

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