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FSSAI's Nutritional Initiatives
Understand more about the FSSAI Eat Right initiative and its focus on better nutrition for public health.
Covers information on FSSAI nutrition, food quality standards, Eat Right India movement and dietary guidelines
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Overview of FSSAI's Role in Nutrition
- The Eat Right India initiative by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) aims to promote healthy eating habits among consumers and ensure the availability of safe and nutritious food. This initiative encourages food businesses to adopt healthier practices and provides guidelines for reducing food adulteration. Eat Right India focuses on a holistic approach to food safety and nutrition, creating awareness among the public on making healthier food choices.
- FSSAI nutrition information is a critical aspect of this initiative, providing consumers with clear and accurate nutritional details about food products. This transparency helps consumers make informed dietary choices. Section 22 of the FSS Act deals with the regulation of foods for special dietary uses, health supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods, ensuring they meet specific safety and quality standards.
Regulatory Framework for Nutritional Foods
FSSAI sets standards for health supplements as specified under the food safety and Standards Regulations of 2016. There are eight types of functional foods covered under these regulations:
- Health supplements
- Nutraceuticals
- Foods for special dietary use
- Foods for special medical purposes
- Specialty foods including plants or botanicals
- Foods containing probiotics
- Foods containing prebiotics, and novel foods.
Also the FSSAI sets labeling standards where all the nutritional information has to be outlined. As per the Act , Nutritional information refers to details about the nutritional properties of food provided to consumers. Nutritional information per 100g or 100ml or per single consumption pack should include energy value, protein, carbohydrate, total sugars, added sugars, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat (if applicable), and cholesterol. The declaration of saturated fat and trans fat should be ‘not more than’ if the fat content is over 0.5%.
Standards for Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals
Under the Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food, and Novel Food) Regulations, 2016, FSSAI establishes the standards for health supplements and nutraceuticals.
According to clause B of section 3 of the Drugs and Cosmetic Act of 1940, supplements are not drugs or medications. Health supplements can be used to supplement the normal diet of a person about the age of 5 years. In order to qualify or sales supplement the following standards have to be met:
- The supplement should have concentrated sources of one or more nutrients: amino acids, enzymes, minerals , proteins, vitamins and other dietary substances
- It should concentrate sources of plants or botanicals, prebiotics , probiotics and substances from animal origin and other similar substances that have nutritional or beneficial physiological effects
- The above mentioned aspects can either be presented alone or in combination
- The health supplement should be marketed in a single use packaging with appropriate quality
- They can also be sold in dosage forms as capsules tablets pills sachet jelly or gel
- It can also be sold as semi solids and other similar forms including liquids and powders that are taken in measured unit quantities
- None of the food products or food product categories listed under the requirements outlined in any other regulation should be included in the health supplements
- The health supplement can continue of the ingredients specified under schedule I,II,IV,VII or enzymes provided under schedules VI
- When manufacturing health supplements, the entire list of components mentioned in the schedule under subregulation 2's clause should be used, with no restrictions on the inclusion of any nutrients that are required for the product's intended use
- The suggested limit should not be exceeded by the amount of nutrients that are directly added to food items
- The limit is specified by the Indian council of medical research
- Standard late down by the international food standard body namely Codex Alimentarius Commission shall also apply to all the health supplements
- If required to add any nutrients in the present substance the food business operator should apply directly to the food authority along with the detailed information about the substance and its nutritional and physiological functions
- If a food business owner intend to introduce a new nutrient that has never been used in India before or without proof that it has specific physiological and nutritional benefits must apply to the food authorities with the necessary documentation for approval even
- After proper scientific evaluation the food authority will specify the nutrients approved from time to time
- The labelling advertisement and presentation should not claim that the health supplement has the property to prevent, treat or cure any human disease
- The food authority may approve any statement made by the owner regarding the overall composition of the body or its structure if it is backed up by widely recognised scientific evidence
- The food business operator should not use any additives for health supplements apart from those specified in schedule VAv, VE or VF.
Here is a detailed outline of the packaging standards of health supplements
- Clearly labeled as "HEALTH SUPPLEMENT"
- Display of the supplement's common name or an adequate description indicating its nature, such as nutrient or material categories
- Statement regarding the quantity of nutrients or substances with nutritional or physiological effects present in the product
- Prominent advisory warning indicating the product is not intended for medicinal use
- Amount of nutrients, if any, given as a percentage of the Indian Council of Medical Research's pertinent recommended daily allowances, with a warning not to exceed the recommended daily consumption
- Disclaimer emphasising that the health supplement should not replace a varied diet
- if applicable, the inclusion of published product or medicine interactions, recognised side effects (if any), contraindications, and warnings or directions for intake
- Notification specifying that the product must be kept out of the reach of minors.
FSSAI Standards for Nutraceuticals
The nutraceuticals will provide physiological benefits and help maintain good health. Here are the standards set by FSSAI for nutraceuticals
- Food business operators are allowed to extract, isolate, and purify nutraceuticals from food or non-food sources
- Under regulated conditions, amino acids and their derivatives can be fermented by bacteria to produce nutraceuticals
- Nutraceuticals can be sold, including liquid, jelly, gel, capsules, granules, powder, tablets, and semi-solids
- Nutraceuticals may be supplied in bottles, sachets, or any other quantifiable unit quantity
- Nutraceuticals should contain ingredients specified in Schedule I, II, IV, VI, VII, and VIII
- The ingredients used in nutraceutical production are outlined in Clause 1 of Sub-regulation 2
- The recommended daily level of nutrients established by the Indian Council of Medical Research and other regulatory authorities, such the Codex Alimentarius Commission and international food standards, should not be breached
- Prior approval must be obtained from the food authority for manufacturing nutraceuticals not provided for in these regulations in India or for making changes to existing products or introducing new ones without a history in India
- Approval will be granted after conducting a proper scientific evaluation
- No other ingredients specified in Schedule VI should be used in nutraceutical manufacturing
- The ingredients used must comply with the manufacturer's specifications or quality requirements as specified in Regulation 3.
Labels, presentations, and advertisements cannot make references to or assert that a nutraceutical has the ability to prevent, treat, or cure human disease
A statement mandating storage of the product out of reach of children
No food business operator is permitted to use additives for nutraceutical formulation except those specified in Schedule VA, Schedule VE, or Schedule VF.
If the food business operator's claim is backed by widely recognised scientific evidence, the Food Authority may approve the statement regarding the composition, operation, or overall health of the body. Each package of nutraceutical-containing food must prominently display the following details on its label:
- Clearly labelled as ‘NUTRACEUTICAL’
- The common name of the nutraceutical
- A precise declaration of the quantity of each nutraceutical ingredient, detailing its nutritional or physiological effects
- If applicable, nutrient quantities should be expressed as a percentage of the relevant recommended daily allowances specified by the Indian Council of Medical Research. An advisory warning should caution against exceeding recommended daily usage
- An advisory warning indicating recommended usage
- Prominent labelling stating ‘NOT FOR MEDICINAL USE’
- An advisory warning in cases where excess consumption may pose a danger
- Precautionary advice, including known side effects, contraindications, product-drug interactions, and any other relevant precautions for consumption
Compendium of Nutritional Guidelines
The Compendium serves as a concise reference for balanced nutrition, promoting well-being through informed dietary choices:
- Chapter 1: General provisions from the Compendium on Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011
- Chapter 2.1: Standards for Dairy products and analogues
- Chapter 2.2: Standards for Fats, oils, and fat emulsions
- Chapter 2.3: Standards for Fruit & Vegetable products
- Chapter 2.4: Standards for Cereals and Cereal products
- Chapter 2.5: Standards for Meat and Meat products
- Chapter 2.6: Standards for Fish and Fish products
- Chapter 2.7: Standards for Sweets & Confectionery
- Chapter 2.8: Standards for Sweetening agents including Honey
- Chapter 2.9: Standards for Salt, Spices, Condiments, and related products
- Chapter 2.10: Standards for Beverages (Other than Dairy and Fruits & Vegetables based)
- Chapter 2.11: Standards for Other food products and ingredients
- Chapter 2.12: Standards for Proprietary Food
- Chapter 2.13: Standards for Radiation processing of food
- Chapter 2.14: Standards for Gluten-free food
- Chapter 2.15: (No specific information provided)
- Chapter 2.16: Standards for Hemp seeds and seed products
- Chapter 3: Regulations on Substances added to food
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
- Amendment number reference
FSSAI's Nutrition Education and Awareness Campaigns
- Diet4Life was started by the FSSAI to educate the public about metabolic disorders. It offers a thorough platform for parents, medical professionals, and parent support groups to choose the best course of action when it comes to managing inborn errors of metabolism (IEM)
- On 10 July 2018, FSSAI introduced 'The Eat Right Movement,' an initiative to prevent lifestyle diseases and enhance public health in India. On a single platform, representatives from the food business, public health experts, civil society organisations, consumer advocacy groups, influencers, and celebrities made a commitment to take proactive measures to further ‘The Eat Right Movement’ across the nation
- September 2019 saw the introduction of Poshan Mah
- Consume Healthfully Mela This infotainment concept is being used in 2018 and 2019 to encourage, engage, and empower people to eat healthfully
- They provide a straightforward way to launch a large-scale campaign to raise awareness of nutritious diets and safe food.
Fortification and Biofortification Initiatives
Micronutrient deficiency, sometimes referred to as "hidden hunger," poses a major risk to one's health. It is essential to have access to wholesome food, and occasionally insufficient intake of a balanced diet, lack of variation in the diet, or scarcity of food results in insufficient intake of micronutrients. Food processing frequently results in significant nutritional loss as well. Food fortification is one approach to solving this issue. This approach enhances nutrition in addition to other strategies like dietary supplements and diet variety.
India has a relatively high rate of micronutrient deficiencies, which can result in anaemia, goitre, night blindness, and other birth defects. These deficiencies are caused by vitamin A, iodine, iron, and folic acid. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) claims that 58.4% of infants aged 6 to 59 months suffer from anaemia.
Among women of reproductive age, 53.1% are anaemic
35.7% of children under the age of five are underweight
A widely accepted solution to the population's widespread micronutrient deficits is fortification
Currently government is promoting fortification in following 5 food items:
- Rice: A ‘Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on Fortification of Rice & its distribution through Public Distribution System’ has been implemented by the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD). The program was launched for a three-year trial period in 2019–20.Rice will be provided to the recipients under this initiative at a cost of ₹1 per kilogram till 2023
- Wheat: To improve the nutrition of children, adolescents, pregnant women, and nursing mothers, the decision to fortify wheat was made in 2018 and is currently being implemented in 12 states under India's flagship program, Poshan Abhiyaan
- Edible oil: In 2018, the FSSAI mandated the nationwide fortification of edible oil
- Milk: The National Dairy Development Board of India (NDDB) began fortifying milk in 2017, and since then, it has pushed businesses to include vitamin D.
Addressing Malnutrition and Micronutrient Deficiencies
Fortification of foods presents a compelling case with a high benefit-to-cost ratio, as indicated by the Copenhagen Consensus, estimating that every ₹1 invested yields 9 Rupees in economic benefits. While initial investments cover equipment and nutrient premixes, overall costs remain minimal. Even when these expenses are transferred to consumers, the resultant price hike is negligible at 1-2%, well within normal price fluctuations. Key advantages of food fortification include:
- Enhanced nutritional value of staple foods, catering to widespread consumption and effectively addressing the health needs of large populations simultaneously
- Ensured safety in nutrition augmentation, with added micronutrients falling well below Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) and conforming to stringent safety standards
- Economically viable intervention, requiring no alterations to dietary patterns or cultural norms, thus ensuring widespread acceptance and accessibility
- Preservation of food characteristics such as taste, aroma, and texture, maintaining the sensory appeal while boosting nutritional content.
Micronutrient deficiency remains a significant public health challenge in India, despite various national health programs and initiatives. However, interventions such as micronutrient supplementation and food fortification have had only limited success. Therefore, it's crucial to identify specific deficiencies and tailor age-specific recommendations, alongside fortifying foods accordingly.
Effective policies and strategies are needed to address this issue, necessitating the filling of gaps in nationally representative data on micronutrient deficiency. Integrating existing nationwide data is essential for prioritising interventions and evaluating current strategies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to determine the overall prevalence and age-specific estimates of deficiency in six major micronutrients in India: iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, iodine, vitamin A, and vitamin D.
Frequently Asked Questions
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