New Delhi: On August 13, 2025, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, hosted a National Stakeholder Consultation at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, with the theme “Comprehensive Analysis of Regulatory Framework on Food Labelling, Advertisement and Claims.”
The event brought together around 700 delegates from ministries, regulatory bodies, the food industry, academic institutions, consumer organizations, and scientific communities. The primary focus was to enhance truth, transparency, and accountability in food labelling and advertising — aligning with global best practices, safeguarding consumer trust and public health, and fostering innovation in the food industry.
Setting the Context
Why Focus on Food Labelling?
Food labelling serves as the most direct point of communication between manufacturers and consumers. The consultation emphasized that labels and advertisements should not merely be marketing tools but essential instruments of trust, empowering consumers to make informed choices.
Participants’ Common Objective
The discussions aimed to:
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Review current regulations
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Address implementation challenges
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Align with international standards
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Curb false claims in advertising
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Boost consumer confidence
Leadership Voices at the Consultation
Ethical and Truthful Practices Crucial
Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, stressed the need to adopt positive changes and best practices from around the world, backed by closer scrutiny of food products:
“Things are changing rapidly. We must adopt many positive changes while scrutinizing food products more closely. In this fast-moving world, consultations like this are vital.”
Food Labelling as a Trust Factor
Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, called for honest and transparent declarations:
“Food labelling should not just be a marketing tool, but the most essential factor of trust between manufacturer and consumer. We want truthful declaration of whatever is contained in the food product, leaving the consumer to make the final choice.”
She further urged the industry to avoid manipulative advertising and uphold collective responsibility for consumer safety.
External Validation of Scientific Claims
Shri Sanjeev Sanyal, Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, underscored the need for external validation of scientific claims made in advertisements. He welcomed FSSAI’s move to implement all label changes once annually from July 1 to reduce uncertainty for the labelling industry.
Accountability in Food Advertising
Shri Prabhat, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, highlighted public health risks associated with false claims:
“There is an increasing need to ensure advertisements are ethical, truthful, and not misleading, particularly in the context of health and nutrition claims.”
Technical and Interactive Sessions
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Session 1: Global and Indian Regulatory Framework on Food Labelling, Advertisement, and Claims – Providing cross-country insights.
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Session 2: From Claims to Compliance – FSSAI-led enforcement case studies.
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Interactive Discussions: Stakeholders exchanged perspectives on industry responsibilities, enforcement challenges, and collaborative solutions.
Key Outcomes and Actionable Recommendations
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Annual implementation schedule for label changes to ensure industry preparedness.
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Mandatory external scientific validation of health and nutrition claims.
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Increased pre-approval scrutiny for advertisements to curb misleading promotions.
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Capacity-building programmes for state food safety authorities.
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Development of a centralized digital registry of verified product claims for public access.
Conclusion
The National Stakeholder Consultation reinforced the need for ethical and responsible food labelling as a public health imperative. By bridging regulatory intent and industry practice, FSSAI is paving the way for a consumer-first approach in the food sector. The collaborative effort across ministries, industry, scientific experts, and consumer groups marks a decisive step towards a transparent, trustworthy, and standardised regulatory environment in India’s rapidly evolving food industry.
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Source: PIB
