Amidst political controversy, FSSAI permits labeling of curd with regional names
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has revised its order and now permits the use of regional names in printed labels of curd packets, amidst political controversy in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The FSSAI has allowed the term ‘curd’ to be used along with any other prevalent regional common name in brackets on the label. The revised order was issued following various representations received recently on the omission of the term ‘curd’ from the Standards of Fermented Milk Products, and only the word ‘Dahi’ was mentioned. The FSSAI stated that Food Business Operators (FBOs) may use the term curd along with any other designation (prevalent regional common name) in brackets on the label.
In a directive dated March 10, the FSSAI had asked milk cooperatives and private dairies located in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to use the term ‘Dahi’ with prevalent regional names in brackets. They were told to use regional nomenclature used in different states for ‘dahi’ while labelling the product, like Dahi (curd), Dahi (mosaru), Dahi (zaamutdaud), Dahi (thayir), Dahi (perugu). The directive was issued to Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers Federation (KMF), Bengaluru Rural and Ramanagara District Cooperative Milk Producers Societies Union Ltd, Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers Federation and Hatsun Agro Products Ltd.
The controversy arose after the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers Federation, which sells dairy products under the brand name Aavin, declined to use the Hindi term ‘Dahi’ in its printed sachets as directed by the FSSAI. The Federation stated that it would only stick to the Tamil word ‘thayir’. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin decried the move as an attempt to “impose Hindi”. Dairy Development Minister SM Nasar said the government had received a letter asking it to implement the directive before August.
In response to the controversy, BJP state unit chief K Annamalai said the notification was not in line with the Centre’s policy of promoting regional languages. Meanwhile, former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy took exception to the inclusion of the term ‘dahi’ on the curd packets of Nandini, a popular brand of KMF. Kumaraswamy called it ‘Hindi imposition’ on Kannadigas and alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said in a meeting that Nandini would be merged with Gujarat’s Amul.
There was no response from the Karnataka Milk Federation on the issue.
The controversy surrounding the use of regional names in curd packaging highlights the importance of respecting regional languages and promoting cultural diversity. While it is necessary to have standardized food labelling regulations, it is equally important to be mindful of regional sensitivities and to respect the cultural identities of different regions. The FSSAI’s decision to revise its order and allow the use of regional names in printed labels of curd packets is a positive step towards promoting cultural diversity and respecting regional identities.
