In India, consumers have always had a hard time separating unhealthy foods from their healthy counterparts. The country’s plan to implement a Health Star Rating (HSR) system for packaged food products is long overdue. The decision to approve HSR was made in view of the rise in obesity, diabetes and hypertension in India. This assessment will help bring about a behavioral change in the population. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is tasked with overseeing its implementation. The decision was made after a report was released by IIM Ahmedabad on ‘Consumer preferences for various front-pack nutrition labels in India’. The purpose of the assessment is to raise awareness and enable customers to make informed food choices.
The IIM Ahmedabad Study
The study, published in February, is the first large-scale, randomized, controlled experiment in India, conducted among Indian consumers to determine which nutrient-specific labeling and summary assessment works best. The survey, which involved more than 20,000 people from all major states, employed five such formats. According to the findings, health star rating and warning labels are most preferred for ease of identification, understanding, reliability and acceptance. In the southern, central and western regions of the country, HSR outperformed warning labels.
Health Star Ratings
Health star rating is a labeling system that uses a scale from one to five stars to rate packaged food products. It is one of many front-of-pack labeling systems (FoPLs). The more stars, the healthier the choice. It is subjected to half star increments. The manufacturers of products using the Star Rating are responsible for providing accurate information and displaying the correct star rating.
Initially started by the Australian and New Zealand governments in conjunction with industry, public health and consumer groups, health star ratings are now being used in other countries.
The rationale behind star ratings
It is imperative to understand that with the increase in the consumption of packaged foods, there is also an increase in the intake of salt, sugar and fats. This means that the average Indian is now consuming more sodium, trans fat, sugar and refined carbohydrates than ever before. Increase in all of these coupled with the high calorie count in these foods leads to an increase in non-communicable diseases. Even among the younger population, lifestyle diseases such as hypertension and diabetes and heart disease are on the rise. Much of this burden can be addressed by reducing the intake of salt, sugar and fats.
Currently, consumers are unable to assess the harm caused by their increased consumption of packaged foods. It’s also quite difficult to understand the pre-existing labels on the back of the pack. They do not convey the danger of consuming packaged foods. HSR is a way to help consumers make better food choices.
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The way forward
The Health Star Rating is a good step in the right direction and can be seen as a welcome one. According to FSSAI, the ratings are awarded in accordance with WHO-approved dietary recommendations for our country. However, the decision to calculate the rating by subtracting bad components of the substances from the good components is irrational. The effect of harmful substances in our diet cannot be negated by the beneficial components. The assessment must be based on the composition of sugar, salt and fats. Experience from many countries around the world shows that colored warning labels on the front of the pack work best. The ideal way to educate consumers and reduce excessive consumption of these harmful substances is to add warning labels with the suggested health star rating. With increasing food choices, it is essential that consumers are made aware of the consequences of their food choices.
Mahek Nankani is Assistant Program Manager of Takshashila Institute. dr. Harshit Kukreja is a research analyst at Takshashila Institute. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not represent the views of this publication.
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