QR CODES ON FOOD PRODUCTS

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) advocates the utilization of QR codes on food products to enhance accessibility for visually impaired individuals.

QR codes, or Quick Response codes, are two-dimensional barcodes that can be scanned with smartphones or QR code readers, granting quick access to encoded data, including website links, text, or contact information.

The primary objective of this initiative is to ensure that  all  individuals, including those with special needs, can access safe food and make informed choices. It serves to make food labelling more inclusive.

Benefits of employing QR codes encompass the provision of comprehensive product information, such as ingredients, nutritional details, allergens, and manufacturing dates. This aligns with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, complementing existing mandatory labelling requirements.

 The Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020 introduced by FSSAI address gaps in previous regulations by including requirements like allergen information, nutrient contributions, expiry dates, logos, and symbols. These regulations extend to e-commerce platforms and large restaurant chains, further enhancing food safety and labelling standards.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), established in 2008 under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, is an autonomous statutory body. It is entrusted with overseeing and regulating food safety standards to ensure the well-being of the Indian populace.