FSSAI makes Menu Labelling Mandatory For FBOs till 30th June
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has decided to implement the display of information regarding nutrition on the menu in food services businesses. The establishments are given time till June 30, 2022, to ensure compliance with the order. As per the draft, the directions shall come into force from January 1, 2022, yet the enforcement concerning the same shall start from July 1, 2022.
This is the first time in the country, the hotels and restaurants are guided to ensure the menu labelling in their businesses. The restaurants and hotels are still recovering from the COVID-19, hence the additional time is given to Food Service Establishments to ensure the Menu Labelling is practiced in a precise manner. Also, it is directed that no sampling of food items on the menu board, booklets, or boards be verified concerning the declaration of calorific value and nutritional information till 30th June 2022.
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Ashwin Bhadri, CEO, Equinox Labs, says “Whether you’re consuming food at hotels or restaurants or home, having a fair idea about nutrition is necessary. While we go with dine-in options, we do not have access to the nutritional information of the food item we order. Providing the values in the booklets, or handout or website does allow the consumer to be aware of the nutrition they consume and make an informed decision.”
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“There are diet-conscious people, who end up completely customizing their diets. Even though the diet is customized, they do not have a complete idea whether the nutrition they’re consuming is enough or not. Also, providing the nutritional value on the booklets and menus does allow the consumers to think before they order. This initiative helps the consumers to make healthy choices,” he added.
The food safety officials are directed to issue improvement notices under the FSS Act for compliance if any FBO does fail to adhere to the norms framed. Under this provision, the FBOs are required to list the nutritional information and calories of the food items served in food establishments. Certain food services such as the one serving for immediate consumption in hospitals, hotels, or food services vendors are exempted from this list.
Further, the regulation defines the food service establishments. The food outlets authorized with a Central license or occupying more than 10 outlets are needed to ensure the nutritional information is specifically mentioned in the booklet or handout or the website.
