FSSAI is in the news… But is our food truly regulated or just labelled?

FSSAI is in the news… But the real question is, is the food we eat truly regulated, or is it just labelled?

As a senior clinician, what I see daily in OPD is clear:

Diabetes, obesity, fatty liver, BP, Cholesterol are no longer individual problems. These are system-driven public health crises.

An honest observation:

Efforts are underway… But they don't seem sufficient.

Guidelines exist… But their direct impact should be visible in our daily diet.

Here, the accountability of both the regulator and policy makers should be clear.

What is today's food environment like?

1. Packaged foods, cloud kitchens, food delivery apps 2. Convenience food = daily food

And this is where the problem begins:

* Hidden sugar (maltodextrin, corn syrup, etc.) * Even if labelled "Sugar-free," it has a similar effect on the body as sugar. * High calories but food that doesn't fill you up. * Large portion sizes, leading to unknowingly eating more.

It's not just the person who is wrong… The environment pushes them towards wrong choices.

So, what exactly should the expectations be?

1. Front-of-pack clear labelling: Information on sugar, salt, trans fat, and calories should be easily understandable at a glance. 2. Hidden ingredients transparency: "No added sugar" doesn't automatically mean healthy. Refined carbs should be clearly stated. 3. Ultra-processed foods classification: A simple grading system (A/B/C or color code) to help people make informed choices. 4. Digital food ecosystem regulation: Food apps and cloud kitchens must clearly display calories and ingredients. 5. Advertising accountability: Claims like "Heart healthy" or "Diabetic friendly" should not be made without scientific proof. 6. Technology-enabled enforcement: AI tracking, QR code traceability, and batch checking should be used. Today, capability exists; now consistency and intent are needed. 7. Right to informed eating: We cannot completely avoid eating out, but understanding what we eat is everyone's basic health right.

Why is this important?

Hidden sugar + hidden calories = insulin resistance → fatty liver → diabetes → heart disease. This chain is seen daily in OPD.

My Opinion:

If labelling, monitoring, and regulation become strict and transparent, the burden of lifestyle diseases can be significantly reduced.

But what do we do today?

When diseases increase, we increase hospitals. We increase ICU beds. This is necessary… But these are treatments, not solutions.

The real solution is prevention. And prevention starts with policy.

"The battle against lifestyle diseases is not won in the clinic… It is won through appropriate policy decisions."

This topic is relevant to every household… If you agree, share it and let the discussion begin.