With reference to pre-packed items in India, it is mandatory to the manufacturer to put which of the following information on the main label, as per the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulation, 2011?

1. List of ingredients including additives
2. Nutrition information
3. Recommendations, if any, made by the medical profession about the possibility of any allergic reaction
4. Vegetarian/non-vegetarian

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2016 Prelims]

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 1, 2 and 4 only

(d) 1 and 4 only

Answer: (c)        

Explanation:

• Every package of food shall carry the following information on the label, namely-
  • The Name of Food
  • List of Ingredients including additives (Hence the statement 1 is correct)
  • Nutritional information (Hence the statement 2 is correct)
  • Declaration regarding Veg or Non-veg (Hence the statement 4 is correct)
  • Declaration regarding Food Additives
  • Name and complete address of the manufacturer
  • Net quantity
  • Date of manufacture or packing
  • Lot/Code/Batch identification
  • Best Before and Use By Date
  • Country of origin for imported food
  • Instructions for use
• Information about Allergic reactions made by the medical profession is not mandatory on the food packets. (Hence the statement 3 is incorrect)