FSSAI has been taking new initiative to food safety over the past few years. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recommended to include QR code on food packets.
Amit Sharma, Director of Science and Standards Division signed that advisory was the citizens should be informed about the inclusive access to information. The authority notes that for easy access to nutritional information for visually impaired individuals. Earlier on September 27, they had given a recommendation that food items cannot be wrapped in newspaper. Now Quick Response (QR) has been mentioned in the food packet.

WHY THIS DECISION ?

The main production of the country comes from agriculture. Hence India has a wealth of diverse food. But how much security is there?
• India was rated 88.7 as the score for nutritional standards. Whereas, dietary diversity in the country was scored at 46.5 that year.
• According to a survey of the ‘Food Literacy and Food Labeling Act-a legal analysis of India’s food policy’ forcefully marketed, cheaper quality and more easily pre-packaged foods are also used by consumers of India.
• Above 60% of people ignore the information of the food they’re taking everyday.

USE OF QR

QR code was invented in 1994 by Denso Wave. QR codes are capable of storing lots of data. When it is scanned, the QR code usually allows the user to access information instantly that’s why it’s called a Quick Response code. Point it at the QR code – you should be able to point your camera from any angle and still receive the necessary information. Food QR code is so easy to use and it’s completely safe. Around 57% of users scanned a food QR code to get specific information about the product,

ABOUT FSSAI

•According to ‘FSSAI’ ,Food safety and standard authority of India has been created in 2008 ,for laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.
FSSAI is also responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety. Driving public health initiatives in the true spirit of convergence.About Food Safety and Standards [labelling and Display ] has outlined the information to be included on the labels of food products

The new regulations of 2020 were :

•Each and Every food product must contain labels

•even e-commerce platforms are required to provide for mandatory labelling of food products

•New logo and symbols and for non-veg and food items

•Expiry date for every products .

Now the authority has recommended an advisory of inclusion of QR code on every food product level .

OBJECTIVES

•The Food Business Operators (FBOs) are encouraged to incorporate provisions that facilitate easy access to nutritional information for visually impaired individuals.
•Main goal of this information is to empower consumers to make informed choices of selection of food .
•According to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, people with disabilities have the same rights and freedoms as everyone else. visually challenged individuals can access all necessary information related to the food they consume
•It is important to note that inclusion of a QR code for information accessibility does not replace the requirement to provide mandatory product label information as per FSSAI as prescribed by relevant regulations.

According to the decision of FSSAI,QR codes should include :
• product name
• vegetarian/non-vegetarian logos
• details about the product, including, but not limited to,
Ingredients,
•Nutritional information,
•Best before/expiry/use by date,
•Allergen warning,
Allergens,
•Manufacturing date
• Contact information for customer inquiries.
It is pertinent to note that the inclusion of a QR code for the accessibility of information does not replace or negate the requirement to provide mandatory information on the product label, as prescribed by relevant regulations.

HOW IT WILL HELP ? 

•People will know about the prohibited food ingredients as advised by the doctor.

• It’ll Facilitate accessibility of food product information to visually impaired persons.

• It will empower consumers to make informed decisions while selecting food products.

• people will access food safety information.