38 food items with misleading claims under scanner: Govt
19 Dec 2012 7:03 AM IST
Government has identified 38 food items with misleading claims and further investigations are on by the food regulatory authority, even as prosecutions in 19 such cases have been launched at the regional level.
Stating this in a written reply in Rajya Sabha, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) monitors labels on various food items by different companies in media as also on the product labels.
‘So far, 38 food items have been identified with misleading claims. Prosecutions have been launched in case of 19 such cases by designated officers at their regional levels,’ the Minister said. Azad said any complaints from the public with regard to claims in advertisements are analysed in FSSAI and show cause notices issued to manufacturers.
‘Their replies are examined at FSSAI by a three-member committee constituted for this purpose. As per recommendations of this committee, actions including prosecution are initiated by designated officers at their regional levels,’ he said. The Minister said though the term ‘junk food’ has not been defined under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and rules/regulations made thereunder.
Foods which have high fat, salt and sugar, with little or no protein, minerals and vitamins are considered as ‘unhealthy food’ and belong to the category of fast foods, he said.
Stating this in a written reply in Rajya Sabha, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) monitors labels on various food items by different companies in media as also on the product labels.
‘So far, 38 food items have been identified with misleading claims. Prosecutions have been launched in case of 19 such cases by designated officers at their regional levels,’ the Minister said. Azad said any complaints from the public with regard to claims in advertisements are analysed in FSSAI and show cause notices issued to manufacturers.
‘Their replies are examined at FSSAI by a three-member committee constituted for this purpose. As per recommendations of this committee, actions including prosecution are initiated by designated officers at their regional levels,’ he said. The Minister said though the term ‘junk food’ has not been defined under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and rules/regulations made thereunder.
Foods which have high fat, salt and sugar, with little or no protein, minerals and vitamins are considered as ‘unhealthy food’ and belong to the category of fast foods, he said.
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