Why ICMR recommends paying attention to those symbols on food packages

Have you ever wondered what those logos on your food packaging or labels really mean? They actually carry important information about the nutritional value of the product. 

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recently released dietary guidelines for Indians (DGIs) to help consumers make informed choices about their food. “Food labels display the name of the food, a list of ingredients, the net weight, brand name, name and address of manufacturer, date of manufacture, use-by/expiry dates, storage instructions, allergen declaration and shelf-life of the food.”

As per the guidelines, these labels contain symbols that consumers must check before purchasing a product.These logos can empower them to make healthier decisions for themselves and the family. 

Specific meanings and significance each of the logos found on food packaging

Kanikka Malhotra, clinical dietician and diabetes educator, says, “As a clinical dietician, I often see confusion around food labels.” 

The ICMR’s 2024 guidelines, she adds, aim to simplify this with logos that can empower everyone to make informed choices. 

Name	Symbol	What it means
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India)	FSSAI logo	Ensures basic food safety and hygiene standards.
ISI (Bureau of Indian Standards)	ISI (Bureau of Indian Standards)	Indicates compliance with specific quality and safety parameters set by the government.
Agmark (Agricultural Mark)	Agmark (Agricultural Mark)	Identifies agricultural and processed food products meeting government quality standards.
Fortified	Fortified	Added essential vitamins and minerals to the food.
Veg/Non-Veg	Veg/Non-Veg	Denotes vegetarian or non-vegetarian origin.
Jaivik Bharat (Organic)	Jaivik Bharat (Organic)	Produced organically without synthetic fertilisers or pesticides.
Vegan	Vegan	No animal products are used in the food.
Gluten-Free	Gluten Free (Representational image)	Contains no gluten, suitable for celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

How do these logos help consumers in making healthier food choices

According to Malhotra, these logos help consumers make informed choices aligned with their dietary preferences and health goals. “However, the ICMR guidelines caution that food labels can be misleading, advising consumers to read detailed nutritional information rather than relying solely on logos,” she stresses.

The guidelines also recommend choosing a variety of foods from different groups to ensure a balanced diet, she says. They help you to: 

Identify healthier options: By prioritising logo-marked products, you’re more likely to choose choices that meet ICMR’s dietary recommendations. 

Compare at a glance: Logos simplify side-by-side comparisons between similar products, allowing you to pick the one that better aligns with your dietary needs. 

Make informed decisions: With this information, you can build a healthier grocery list and promote better overall dietary patterns. 

The ultimate goal is to empower consumers in India to make informed choices that contribute to a healthier population and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.

Criteria and process used to assign these logos to different food products

The ICMR has established specific criteria for assigning the vegetarian, non-vegetarian, fortified food, and organic food logos to food products. These criteria, Malhotra informs, are based on the nutritional content, ingredients, and production methods used in the manufacturing process. 

“To receive a logo, food manufacturers must submit their products for evaluation by the ICMR. The evaluation process involves testing the product for compliance with the established criteria and ensuring that the information provided on the packaging is accurate and not misleading.”

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