This development follows a comprehensive study conducted by a collaboration of international and local health researchers, including those from The George Institute for Global Health and other reputable organizations. With the backing of the World Health Organization, India, the study culminated in findings which were published in the journal Food Quality and Preference.
The research sought to understand which FoPLs would be most effective in the Indian context. It surveyed 1,270 adults from various regions across the nation to judge the efficacy of five different types of nutrition labels currently in use around the globe, adjusted for local understanding. The results indicated that the Multiple Traffic Lights label, which employs two colors to distinguish health indicators, was notably effective in promoting both understanding and healthier food purchasing decisions.
As part of the efforts to introduce a new FoPL system in India, these labels are not only intended to inform consumers but also to be user-friendly and well-received, hence playing a pivotal role in mitigating dietary-related health issues. The researchers highlighted the importance of utilizing colors to enhance label interpretability, with all tested FoPL models showing benefits in terms of consumer perception, choice, and comprehension.
The current absence of a mandatory FoPL system in India marks the significance of these research findings. Researcher D Praveen from The George Institute for Global Health stated that the study conclusively demonstrated the effectiveness and favorability of the two-color traffic light format among the Indian population. These insights are expected to directly influence the Indian Government's ongoing process to establish a nationwide FoPL system that incorporates these successful design elements.
Once adopted, these labels will play a crucial role in ensuring nutritional information is accessible and comprehensible. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the government aim to make these labels a powerful tool in steering the population towards healthier eating habits, thus reducing the trajectory of diet-related diseases within the nation.
