FSSAI releases guidelines for Health Claims,Advertising

New Delhi Nov 23: In a move to restrict false health claims of advertising by food companies the FSSAI has recently released a draft regulation of Food Safety and Standards (Advertisement and Claims) Regulation. The draft has also deals with health claims of products and advertisement guidelines.

The health claims for fortified foods should be as follows

Vitamin A: For helping in preventing night blindness.

Iron: For fighting anemia.

Iodine: Required for normal growth, thyroid, and brain function.

Thiamine: Required for normal nerve and heart function

The draft adds that in order to obtain the claimed benefits "the daily intake of the nutrient/ingredient should be taken from either the same food or any other food that provides the nutrient/ingredient containing the beneficial nutrient ingredient".

FSSAI adds that "Health claims must be validated scientifically by scientific methods of analysis of the ingredients which are responsible for the claim."

Advertisement guidelines

# Advertisements shall also not undermine the importance of healthy lifestyles.

# Advertisements for food or beverages shall not be promoted or portrayed as a meal replacement.

# Claims in advertisements shall not be inconsistent with information on the label or packaging of the food or beverage.