Healthshots

By Radhika Bhirani

Published June 6, 2024

Buying packaged food? FSSAI recommends how to check labels

If you can't avoid packaged foods in your diet, be smarter by knowing how to read labels to ensure safe purchase of packaged foods.

Image Credits : Shutterstock

In our fast-paced lives, packaged foods are a quick and easy solution to deal with hunger pangs. But most packaged foods are processed, and may come with health risks.

Image Credits : Shutterstock

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an informative video on social media, urging consumers to check three key things on a label before buying packaged food products.

Image Credits : Shutterstock

These three key things to check include date of manufacture, best before and date of expiry.

Image Credits : Shutterstock

The date of manufacturing tells you about the date of manufacturing and packaging of a product.

Image Credits : Shutterstock

Date of Manufacturing

The Best Before date indicates the date up to which the food is likely to be in good shape for consumption. Once it crosses the date, the taste, colour, aroma, freshness and nutrients may get affected. However, it doesn't mean the food may not be safe to eat.

Image Credits : Shutterstock

Best Before Date

The expiration date on a food product indicates the date after which a certain food product may be unsafe for consumption.

Image Credits : Shutterstock

Date of Expiry

Even the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) supports that consumers must understand the symbols and logos on food packaging. This can help them make more informed decisions about their diet.

Image Credits : Shutterstock

ICMR supports reading of food labels

ICMR's latest Dietary Guidelines for Indians urge consumers to be aware of common logos on food labels, apart from being vigilant about ingredients and serving sizes.

Image Credits : Shutterstock

Reading nutritional information will help you make more informed decision about what you should eat and what you should avoid.

Image Credits : Shutterstock

4 things about packaged baby food that you need to know about

Image Credits : Shutterstock

Up Next

Download App