FSSAI has drafted the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Amendment Regulations, 2018 relating to the display of information in food service establishments.
In the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011 under regulation ‘Specific Requirements/ Restrictions on the manner of labeling’ (2.4), the FSSAI has added a new sub-regulations for food service establishments which says
Display of information in food service establishments
- Food Service Establishments having Central license or outlets at 20 or more locations shall display the calorific value of each of the food items sold by them on their menu cards or boards. Additionally, reference information on the requirements of 2000 Kcal energy for an average adult per day shall also be displayed clearly and prominently.
- Food Service Establishments shall display the information specified below at the point of sale or service of the food:
- any warning/statutory declarations required under these regulations
- information relating to allergens in the food
- logo for veg or non-veg
- information relating to gluten free and low gluten status in food
- information relating to organic food or ingredients.
- E-commerce Food Business Operators shall also provide this information in the menu linked with each food service establishment on their platform, where applicable. These provisions shall not be applicable to the following:
- Event Caterers and Food Service premises that operate for less than 60 days in a calendar year (consecutively or non-consecutively)
- Self-serve condiments that are free of charge and not listed on the menu.
- Special-order items or modified meals and menu items as per customer’s request.
- Food Service Establishments shall also keep written nutritional information on the food items sold by them in the form of booklets or hand-outs or on their website which shall be provided to consumers upon request.
The FSSAI wants food service establishment to declare the calorific and nutritive value of the food they serve to enable consumers aware of what they eat which is in keeping with FSSAI’s emphasis on eating right foods for good health. Presently some fine-dining and five-star hotels do offer separate menus for low calorie and low sugar options on demand. However, there is no calories and nutritive value declaration.
Leave a Reply