Patna: In a landmark development, all political parties in Bihar have come together to endorse the implementation of “Front-of-Package Labeling” (FOPL), aimed at providing clear warnings on packaged food items to safeguard children’s health. This unanimous decision was reached during a public dialogue held at the Kasturba Gandhi Assembly Hall, Gandhi Museum, Patna.
Organized by a coalition comprising the Peoples’ Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), People’s Initiative for Participatory Action for food Labelling (PIPAL), All India Hawkers Forum, Bandi Adhikar Andolan, and Indian Roti Bank, the event saw participation from various political factions and civil society organizations.
Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, founder and Convenor of PVCHR, underscored the urgency of implementing FOPL by highlighting data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5). He stressed that the measure is crucial for safeguarding the future health of children across the nation, citing widespread support from stakeholders, including members of parliament and legislators.
Addressing the gathering, Jeetendra Nath, National Vice President of Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal, emphasized the importance of prompt implementation and public awareness initiatives. He pledged unwavering support from his party to address this critical issue affecting children’s health.
Similarly, Ram Babu, State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI) of Bihar, recognized the ubiquitous use of packaged foods in households today and highlighted the pressing need to combat associated health risks through policy interventions.
Following deliberations, representatives from all political parties jointly endorsed the Patna Declaration, committing to incorporate FOPL demands in their respective party’s election manifestos. Notable attendees included Sanjay Paswan and Chandresh Singh of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Jahangir Khan of JD (U), Former MP Ali Anwar, Sanjay Paswan of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Rinku Kumari of Bihar Women’s Association, Dr. Amit Kumar Paswan of Congress, and Arun Kumar Singh of Jan Swaraj.
The Patna Declaration, endorsed by representatives of civil society organizations and political parties, outlines comprehensive recommendations for the inclusion of FOPL regulations in the 2024 General Election manifestos. These measures aim to combat rising rates of obesity and non-communicable diseases, underscoring a collective commitment to prioritize public health and informed consumer choices.
