Display price, quantity in 40% packet area: Govt to food companies

New Delhi: The government has amended norms to make it mandatory for packaged food manufacturing firms to display retail price and quantity among other six details more prominently in at least 40 per cent of the packet area, effective from July.

"Now in all the packaged commodities, six mandatory information shall have to be displayed more prominently at least at the 40 percent area of the packet, except top and bottom, so that these are easily readable by consumers. Packaged commodities rules have been amended by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs," an official release said.

Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has directed his ministry officials to ensure the amended rule is enforced positively from July this year.

The minister, who discussed the issue in detail in the governing body meeting of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) held yesterday at Mussoorie, said a monitoring cell will be set up to ensure strict compliance of the new provisions.

As per the amendments, name of manufacture/packager/ importer, net quantity of product, manufacturing date, retail sale price and consumer care contacts should have to be displayed in a panel of 40 per cent of the area of the packet in readable font size.

Paswan said his ministry is setting up a quick response system to attend consumer complaints, existing National Consumer Helpline is being geared up for this purpose and now a senior level officer will monitor the disposal of complaints on daily basis.

The Minister also expressed hope that The Consumer Protection bill, which has many unique features to safeguard interests of consumers, will be passed by Parliament in the second part of the budget session.

Reviewing the working of BIS during the Governing body meeting, the Minister asked the Bureau to formulate rules to ensure early implementation of new BIS Act so that culture of quality goods and services can be ushered in the country.

He further mentioned that BIS has taken various initiatives under ?Make in India? for standard formulation which includes items relating to renewable energy, bio-fuel, auto components, electric machinery and construction etc.

BIS is also contributing to 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' by formulating new standards on solid and plastic wastes management, water and waste water supply management.