Understanding the symbols and logos on food packaging is crucial for making informed decisions about your diet. The recent dietary guidelines for Indians (DGIs) released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) aim to simplify this process by introducing logos that empower consumers to make healthier choices.
Take this two-minute read to learn more about the significance of these logos and how they help consumers in their food selection journey.
The Importance of Food Labels
Experts emphasize the significance of food labels in guiding dietary choices. While logos provide a glance at certain aspects of a product, such as safety or content, consumers need to get a deeper insight into the detailed nutritional information to make well-rounded decisions.
While logos can indicate aspects like safety or vegetarian content, they sometimes need to convey the complete picture. For instance, a product approved by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) might still be high in sodium, and a "veg" symbol doesn't guarantee that vegetables are the main ingredients. Terms like "healthy" or "natural" can be subjective and may not always align with nutritional goals.
Making Informed Choices
ICMR's guidelines encourage consumers to look beyond logos and consider factors such as ingredients and serving sizes. By prioritizing logo-marked products, consumers can align their choices with dietary recommendations and build healthier grocery lists. Variety is also key; choosing foods from different groups ensures a balanced diet and promotes overall well-being.
Also Read: ICMR Dietary Guidelines 2024: Find Out 17 Specific Recommendations For Better Health
Decoding the Logos
FSSAI Logo: Ensures safe food handling and clear labelling, setting standards for clean ingredients and hygienic handling.
ISI Mark: Guarantees product safety and quality, including accurate labelling and meeting performance benchmarks.
Agmark Logo: Signifies adherence to government standards for purity, size, and minimum fat content in agricultural and processed foods.
Fortified Foods: Provide additional nutrients to address common deficiencies, such as iron, iodine, and vitamins.
Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian Symbols: Indicate whether a product contains animal-derived ingredients.
Organic (Jaivik Bharat) Symbol: Denotes products produced without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.
Vegan Symbol: Indicates products entirely free from animal products.
Gluten-Free: It is ideal for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
How Do These Logos Help Consumers Make Healthier Food Choices?
Logos help consumers make informed choices about their specific dietary needs and goals. However, the ICMR guidelines caution that food labels can be misleading, suggesting consumers read detailed nutritional information rather than just relying on the logos.
Logos also pay attention to a single aspect, like safety or content, but they don’t reveal ingredients or nutrition. Thus, to make more informed decisions, look beyond logos and check the ingredients list and serving sizes.
For instance, an FSSAI-approved product might be high in sodium, and the veg symbol doesn’t mean vegetables are the key ingredient. Terms like “healthy” or “natural” have loose versions, and “Natural” ghee may still have high saturated fat.
Understand The Logos Better
In India, food labels help you make informed choices. FSSAI ensures safe food handling and clear labels. They set rules for clean ingredients, limits on additives, and contaminants, hygienic handling by food businesses, and clear food labelling to keep customers informed and safe.
The ISI mark guarantees that a product meets safety and quality standards. These could include ensuring accurate labelling or meeting durability performance benchmarks.
The Agmark logo on agricultural and processed food products signifies that they have met government standards for purity, size, moisture content, presence of contaminants, and minimum fat content.
Fortified foods in India often boost extra nutrients to address common deficiencies. Some of the nutrients include iron, iodine, vitamins A and D, folic acid, and sometimes Vitamin B12, which is added to packaged foods, mainly dairy and cereals.
In India, the green Veg symbol denotes vegetarian food, including dairy. The brown Non-Veg triangle means meat, poultry, fish, or eggs.
Jaivik Bharat (Organic) means no synthetic fertilisers or pesticides, but details aren’t on the label.
Vegan food is entirely plant-based, meaning it contains no animal products like meat, dairy, eggs, or honey. It majorly emphasizes fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Gluten-free food denotes the lack of gluten, a protein in wheat, and rye that can result in digestive problems in people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Also Read: FSSAI Slashes Trans Fat Limit to 3% from 5% And This Is Why It is Healthy For You
Criteria For Assigning Logos
The ICMR has established specific criteria for assigning logos based on nutritional content, ingredients, and production methods. Food manufacturers must undergo an evaluation to ensure compliance with these criteria and accurate labelling.
When reading food labels, the ICMR recommends:
- Look beyond logos: Consider detailed nutritional information
- Consider variety: Choose foods from different groups for a balanced diet
- Be cautious of terms: "Healthy" or "natural" may not always indicate nutritional value
References:
https://www.nin.res.in/survey_reports/fopnl_report.pdf
https://main.icmr.nic.in/sites/default/files/upload_documents/DGI_07th_May_2024_fin.pdf
