According to a notice from the ministry of consumer affairs, manufacturers and traders of food and beverage items like mineral water, baby food, tea, coffee and others will have to adhere to this order.
“This order has come about as part of a larger consumer protection initiative. An amendment in the country’s consumer protection rules means that manufacturers must sell the products in standardised weights and packets,” a spokesperson for the consumer affairs ministry told FoodNavigator-Asia.
The change in rules, according to the spokesperson, have come about due to a number of complaints from consumers on lack of such standards, especially in the case of 19 such exempted items that included mineral water and tea.
In addition, the consumer affairs ministry has also decided to step up the grievance redressal measures against consumable items, with the increased funding and staffing for consumer councils at state and district levels.
“We need to increase the conversion rate [complaints addressed and solved] at these consumer protection bodies. There will be increased funding for these bodies beginning the next fiscal year,” he added.
According to the spokesperson, a committee has also been formed to investigate the issue of consumer products and services in the country, which includes “health claims made by food manufacturers with their products.”
“The committee is already working on it. This has been prompted by many complaints and not restricted to food items only. The committee is expected to come back to us next month after which new rules could be announced,” he said.