Spicy rules: FSSAI cracks down on sub-standard hing powder, proposes warning labels on junk food

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has prohibited Everest Food Products Pvt Ltd and Laljee Godhoo and Company from selling certain hing powder products found to be sub-standard.

Separately, the food regulator told the Supreme Court that it has proposed prominent red front-of-pack warning labels for foods high in saturated fat, sugar and salt.

Crackdown on sub-standard hing

In a prohibition order, the regulator said samples of compounded asafoetida, or hing powder, sold by Everest were found to be “Misbranded and Sub-standard” by the primary food laboratory.

FSSAI said the products violated provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, with the alcohol soluble extract in one sample recorded at zero against the prescribed minimum standard of 5%.

“Yellow Hing Powder (Compounded Asafoetida) and Black Hing Powder (Compounded Asafoetida) were also found to be Sub-standard, with Alcoholic Extract reported at 3.29 per cent and 4.4 per cent, respectively,” it said.

The regulator has asked Everest to submit an action plan to rectify the continued sale of sub-standard compounded hing and warned of further action if corrective measures are not taken.

Laljee Godhoo and Company has also been prohibited from selling hing powder after samples were found to be sub-standard and adulterated. FSSAI said raw hing varieties used in manufacturing compounded hing contained excess starch, against the prescribed limit of not more than 1% by weight.

Red warning labels for high-fat, sugar and salt foods

Meanwhile, in a compliance affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, FSSAI proposed a “prominent front-of-pack warning label in a red-coloured hexagonal shape” for food products high in two or more nutrients of concern, including added saturated fat, added sugar and salt.

The warning would carry declarations such as “high fat”, “high sugar”, “high salt” and/or “highly sweetened beverage”, enabling consumers to readily identify products with high levels of these nutrients.

The proposal follows the Supreme Court's August 13 order in a plea seeking mandatory front-of-package warning labels on packaged foods.

FSSAI said the warnings would be introduced in phases. The first phase would cover products high in two or more specified nutrients and certain sweetened beverages, while the second phase would extend the requirement to products high in any one of these nutrients.

“The proposed approach is intended to address the need for an effective and consumer friendly FoP labelling mechanism and to facilitate informed food-choices,” FSSAI said.

The proposal will require amendments to relevant regulations before implementation.

(With PTI inputs)