Parle backs FSSAI’s tighter food labelling norms

MUMBAI: When it comes to food labels, Parle says the writing should be on the wall and clear on the pack. The biscuit maker has backed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) tighter approach to food labelling, saying more transparent and authentic claims can help consumers make better-informed choices.

Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Parle Products Vice President Mayank Shah said the company sees limited need for widespread product changes solely because of the new labelling requirements. Instead, he said the bigger shift will be in how food brands communicate nutritional information and product claims.

“It’s a welcome move. Claims should be authentic, and they should be informative. They should be transparent,” Shah said.

The comments come as packaged-food companies face increasing scrutiny over how they present nutritional benefits and other claims to consumers. With shoppers paying closer attention to ingredients, sugar, fat and other nutritional information, the label is increasingly becoming part of the product pitch.

For Parle, however, the process of reformulation is not new. Shah said the company has been working on its portfolio for the past seven to 10 years, including reducing sugar, fat and sodium across several products and introducing offerings aimed at changing nutritional preferences.

Its portfolio now includes millet-based biscuits, lower-sugar variants and Parle-G Oats & Berries. Shah said consumers are increasingly looking for products with lower sugar and higher whole-grain content, prompting the company to adapt its offerings.

The biscuit conversation, meanwhile, is not only about what goes into the product but also how much goes onto the plate. Shah acknowledged that excessive consumption of any food is not advisable, while pointing to India’s preference for smaller-value packs. Parle products are widely available in Rs 5 and Rs 10 packs, which he said are often shared among family members.

Parle-G’s advertising has also faced questions over its long-running “G Maane Genius” campaign and whether the communication could imply that eating the biscuit makes children more intelligent.

Shah defended the campaign, saying it was not intended as a direct nutritional or intelligence claim. Instead, he said, it focused on values such as kindness, empathy and sharing. The campaign was also informed by research during the Covid-19 pandemic, when reduced social interaction was observed to have affected children’s social behaviour.

The wider debate around food labelling comes as FSSAI steps up scrutiny of nutritional and health claims used across packaging and advertising. For FMCG companies, the regulatory shift puts greater emphasis on ensuring claims are substantiated while making information easier for consumers to understand.

For Parle, the task now is less about rewriting the entire menu and more about making sure consumers can read it clearly. Shah said the company will continue reviewing its products and communication as consumer expectations and regulatory requirements evolve.