Mar 19, 2014

What is Food Labelling? What guidelines a food business operator needs to follow?

Before we discuss Food Labelling, first we have to understand the definition of label. A Label is the printed information on the package/container of the product which comprises the Product Name, Company Name & Address, logo, ingredients etc. “Food Labelling” is the set of legal requirements regarding the information of a food product which is securely affixed on the container/package accompanying a food. Food Labelling has to be in compliance to the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006. 
Food Labelling serves two purposes; one to sell a food product by informing the consumer to take decision whether to purchase or not and secondly to meet the legal requirements on Product name, Brand name, information about the manufacturer/importer, Batch No, Code No. Mfg. & Exp. Date, License No, Logo, Veg & Non-Veg marks etc. 
The information on the label has to be appropriately given for the convenience of the consumer. Any statement, claim, design etc., which is false or may mislead a consumer about the quality, nutrition value or quantity of a food product is strictly prohibited. Every food business operator dealing with the prepackaged food product has to follow the guidelines as per FSS (Packaging & Labelling) Regulations, 2011. Food Labelling becomes critical when people buy Infant Food Products or while they buy products to fulfill their special dietary needs or they may be looking to avoid food products with allergen ingredients in it.

Banned gutka worth Rs 10 lakh seized from arrested duo

In a joint operation, the Thane police and officials of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized banned gutka worth Rs 10 lakh and arrested two drivers who were allegedly transporting it in two different tempos, late last evening, the Thane police said here today. 
Police said that the two tempos were intercepted after which the stocks of Baba Saffron Tobacco, Chetna Tobacco-131, Baba Premium-120, Pancharatna Kimam Supari, Usha Kimam Number 30 and Ritik Sweet Supari were seized. 
These were packed in ten gunny bags, the police said, ading that the two of them were caught below the Saket bridge. 
Names of those arrested are Prashant Narayan Gadkar and Mohammad Rafique Mehaboob Khan. 
They have been charged under various sections of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.