Parliament Question: Compliance with Mandatory Calorie Disclosure

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE RAJYASABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *260 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 17TH MARCH, 2026 COMPLIANCE WITH MANDATORY CALORIE DISCLOSURE *260 MS. SWATI MALIWAL: Will the MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) whether FSSAI has conducted a Compliance Audit of Regulation 9(1) of Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, mandating calorie disclosure by centrally licensed or multi-outlet food establishments, if not, the reasons therefor; (b) the monitoring mechanisms in place to ensure compliance, both on-site and on quick commerce platforms; (c) the number of inspections, non-compliances detected, notices issued, penalties imposed and recovered in the last three years, State-wise; and (d) whether the thresholds under the Regulation would be lowered, given the rising Obesity, Diabetes and Lifestyle Disorders and whether assistance will be provided to help small enterprises calculate calories and its expected timeline? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA) (a) to (d) AStatement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO RAJYASABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *260 FOR 17TH MARCH, 2026 (a) to (d): Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is mandated to lay 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 and FSSAI standards are uniformly applicable across the country. FSSAI has notified the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, which prescribe requirements for display of certain mandatory information at the premises of food establishments where food is manufactured, processed, served, or stored, including specific provisions applicable to restaurants and food service establishments. Accordingly, as per Regulation 9(1) of Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, food service establishments having Central license or outlets at 10 or more locations shall mention the calorific value (in kcal per serving and serving size) against the food items displayed on the menu cards or boards or booklets. FSSAI issued a clarification dated 12.04.2024 regarding the display of calorific value, allergen, and nutritional information by food service establishments. The clarification stated that food service establishments may provide the required information through menu cards/boards, booklets/handouts, or their website, as prescribed under the regulations. It further advises Licensing Authorities and Regional Offices to ensure proper interpretation of the provisions and avoid unnecessary enforcement actions where Food Business Operators (FBOs) are compliant. To regulate online marketing companies engaged in selling food items, FSSAI, in 2018, specified procedures for the licensing and registration of e-commerce businessoperators along with their responsibilities. Under the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, e-commerce platforms are required to display relevant food information such as nutritional details, allergens, vegetarian/non-vegetarian logo, and calorific value obtained from the respective food businesses. FSSAI has issued orders directing e-commerce Food Business Operators for displaying calorific value and other prescribed nutritional information on their online platforms. The order also requires e-commerce platforms to obtain the relevant information from food business operators and enable its display on their websites or mobile applications. For compliance with the set standards, limits, & other statutory requirements under the Act and Food Safety & Standards Regulations (FSSR), FSSAI, through its 4 (four) Regional offices and State/UT food safety authorities conducts regular localized/targeted special enforcement and surveillance drives. The details of the enforcement action taken in compliance with Regulation 9(1) of the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulation, 2020 in last three years is attached at Annexure. FSSAI considers the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) as recommended by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and accordingly, 2,000 kcal energy per day for an average active adult are specified in the Regulation. To assist FBO including small enterprises, the calculation of energy (calorie) are elaborated in Regulation (5) (3) (e) of Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. Under regulation 9 (4) of the said regulation, a deviation of 25 percent in case of nutritional information declaration is also allowed.Annexure Details of the action taken in check on-site and on quick commerce platforms for compliance with Regulation 9(1) of the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulation, 2020 by Regional offices, FSSAI in last three years No. of Food Details of Action taken No. Food No. of Food Financial Establishment Establishment Establishment Improvement License Year found inspected compliant Notice issued Suspended Non-compliant 2022-23 141 126 15 15 6 2023-24 73 71 2 2 0 2024-25 165 164 1 1 0 *****