Work

Classification and analysis of nutrition and health claims on Indian packaged food products

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Nutrition and health (NH) claims are extensively used on food packages to convey health benefits of food products to consumers in India. However, Indian regulatory guidelines do not provide a detailed classification of NH claims. Hence, first comprehensive NH claim sub-types are identified by studying regulatory guidelines of various countries as well as the academic literature. Next, 1123 claims on 112 health-based packaged food products from India are analysed based on typologies identified. The results reveal a high occurrence of NH claims. Within NH claims, there was a higher presence of nutrition claims over health claims; components to encourage over limit; and non-numeric over numeric claims. Moreover, claim types that are popular in the market but have received limited research attention, such as numeric, non-addition, nutrient comparative, component to limit, and implied claims, are highlighted. This work can help Indian policymakers to re-evaluate and revise current claim guidelines.

Source: CyTA - Journal of Food

DOI: 10.1080/19476337.2025.2520543

Authors: Vartika Chaudhary, Dinesh Sharma

Institutions: K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

Language: English

Topic: Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,790