Amidst rising concerns raised by public health advocates, social media influencers, and consumers, organized packaged food companies are under scrutiny for their health claims, product formulations, and nutritional levels. Experts predict that this will compel these companies to prioritize healthier product offerings and adopt greater transparency in their labeling practices.
Last week, the Swiss NGO Public Eye expressed concerns regarding the “added sugar” content in Nestle‘s baby food products marketed in India and other emerging markets. In a separate development, the FSSAI, earlier this month, instructed e-commerce platforms not to label products like Bournvita, Complan, and Horlicks as “health drinks” due to the absence of a clear definition for such beverages. Meanwhile, spice brands Everest and MDH are under scrutiny by the Centre for Food Safety, Hong Kong’s food regulator, for alleged traces of ethylene oxide in some of their products. Additionally, social media influencer Revant Himatsingka raised alarms about elevated sodium levels in certain ready-to-eat items served on Indigo flights.
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As per KS Narayanan, a food and beverage expert and former Managing Director of McCain Foods India, merely complying with regulatory standards superficially differs from consistently implementing practices that prioritize public health. Nevertheless, packaged food companies encounter numerous genuine practical challenges that necessitate attention while concurrently upholding health standards.
“Nationally and internationally, packaged food companies typically ensure adherence to regulatory guidelines meticulously. FSSAI’s food standards are aligned with CODEX standards. However, the critical question lies in whether they adhere to these regulations in essence.
The challenge arises from the fact that ingredients available in India may differ significantly from those in other markets, leading to variations in product formulations across countries due to various factors. Brands also must cater to the specific local demands of consumers in each market, including considerations of pricing and packaging,” Narayanan remarked.
This growing scrutiny comes as people seek healthier eating options. Social media has allowed public health activists & influencers to spread their message far and wide. At the same time, insurgent brands providing healthier alternatives or clean label products are eroding established firms’ market position, according to analysts.
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“Moving ahead, packaged food companies that fail to adhere to standards both in principle and practice will face greater scrutiny. Concurrently, we might witness a surge in innovations aimed at producing healthier products and a commitment to more transparent labeling from established players,” Narayanan remarked.
Rinka Banerjee, Founder of Thinking Forks Consulting and former R&D Director at HUL, noted that packaged food companies have already initiated the transition toward healthier product lineups.
“It’s a strategy being embraced both globally and in India: gradually minimizing negative nutrients while enhancing positive ones in food product innovation. The goal is to maintain great taste while consumers gradually adjust to reduced saltiness or sweetness, for instance. It’s a methodical progression,” she explained.
Harsh Gursahani, a food lawyer & Partner at PLR Chambers, stated that establishing scientifically supported statements that are compliant with rules helps businesses differentiate themselves in the market. “While major players have generally been more careful of making false claims, we are also now seeing a lot more mid-sized & small sized packaged food companies coming to us for assistance to ensure their claims are scientifically-backed & comply with the regulations,” she said.
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At the same time, public health advocates are urging for a stricter framework to be implemented within the packaged food industry.
In a video post on X, Arun Gupta, Convenor of Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi), emphasized the necessity for a more comprehensive and rigorous legal framework to tackle these concerns. He underscored the importance of establishing definitions for high fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) products, as well as implementing front-of-the-pack warning labels.