HEALTH STAR RATING SYSTEM

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Context - Experts raised concerns over the new “Health Star Rating’ system of the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Details

• The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) plans to adopt a new “Health Star Rating” system in order to help consumers to reduce their intake of unhealthy foods.
• Some experts have raised concerns over the new system and also criticised it by highlighting it as a “not evidence-based” System.
  • They also claimed that “warning labels” instead of a rating system are the most effective strategies in various countries.
• In February 2022, the FSSAI has decided to adopt the new “Health-Star Rating System”.
  • It rates a product from 1/2 a star to 5 stars.
  • The decision to adopt a new rating system was based on the recommendations of a study by the IIM Ahmedabad.
• These experts have said the Health Star Rating (HSR) system adopted in countries like Australia and New Zealand has not resulted in any meaningful behaviour change.
• Experts have suggested the implementation of “front-of-package” warning labels as “the most effective models to date in informing consumers of the nutritional quality of packaged products”.

Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

• The FSSAI has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006.
• It is a statutory body that works under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• It is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food
• Power and Responsibilities of FSSAI:
  • It Formulates the Regulations to lay down food safety standards.
  • It prepares guidelines for the accreditation of laboratories for food testing.
  • It provides scientific advice and technical support to the Government.
  • Collecting data regarding food consumption, contamination, emerging risks, etc.
  • Promoting awareness about food safety and nutrition in India.
  • Lay down science-based standards for articles on food.
  • Regulate the manufacture, storage, distribution, import, and sale of food.
  • To promote food safety.
• The Chairman of FSSAI is appointed by the Central Government.
• The FSSAI has its headquarters in New Delhi.
• The authority also has 6 regional offices located in Delhi, Guwahati, Mumbai, Kolkata, Cochin, and Chennai.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/experts-question-star-rating-of-food-products-likely-to-be-recommended-by-fssai-for-packaged-food/article65336097.ece