The image of processed food industry cannot be worse that what it is to day, probably because of a substantial number amongst them ignoring the welfare and safety of the consumers they are supposed to serve. "Consumer is the king" has lost much of its sheen because of a perceived feeling of dishonesty and manipulative practices on the part of the industry. No matter how efficient the surveillance system is, there will always be black sheep indulging in undesirable activities, in their pursuit for making a fast buck. But when the industry collectively comes forward promising self restraint, an opportunity must be given to test their sincerity. Here is the American experience on such an approach.
"Two and a half years ago, amid great fanfare, major food companies announced a new era in self-regulation. They created the Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative, promising to stop marketing foods of poor nutritional value to children. Instead, as this report conclusively demonstrates, these foods still constitute a clear majority of the food marketed to children today. Most disturbingly, companies participating in the much-heralded Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative have actually increased their manipulation of children by escalating the use of beloved licensed characters to market unhealthy food".
Probably the above experience must be a lesson for democratic countries like India where enforcement regimes are not considered very strong. It is a situation where the consumer is trapped between the "deep sea and the devil" with no hope for any immediate relief. A radical "deterrent" regime is the need of the hour with fast track indictment of those considered committing fraud on the consumers.
V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com
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