Sanjeev Sanyal, Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, noted that “the issue of claims in advertisements also needs deeper scrutiny because even if there is supposedly scientific evidence supporting them, it needs to be validated externally.”
He said that FSSAI had earlier announced that all label changes and related rules and regulations will be implemented only once a year, on July 1.
“This is a major step, because it removes a big problem and uncertainty for the labelling industry.”
Highlighting the seriousness of false claims in the food sector, Prabhat, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, emphasised the need for accountability and accurate communication. “There is an increasing need to ensure advertisements are ethical, truthful, and not misleading, particularly regarding health and nutrition claims.
He said that false claims in this sector undermine consumer trust and pose serious public health risks, he said.
The consultation ‘Comprehensive analysis of Regulatory Framework on Food Labelling, Advertisement and Claims’ brought together around 700 representatives from various government departments, scientific experts, food businesses, state food safety authorities, industry associations, consumer organisations, and academic institutions.
The event formed part of an ongoing series of national-level stakeholder dialogues designed to address key regulatory issues requiring multi-stakeholder engagement.
By working closely with industry, academia, consumer groups, farmer organisations, and regulatory bodies, FSSAI aims to integrate sector-specific perspectives and ground-level insights into its regulatory framework, ensuring that policies remain practical and aligned with public health priorities, according to a statement issued by the food regulatory body.