Source: The Hindu
NEW DELHI, INDIA, December 3, 2001: India’s Health Ministry ordered companies October 4 to label their food products with a mandatory brown dot if they contain nonvegetarian ingredients. However, after two months, the food industry has yet to comply. Some companies say they are confused. Many are in the process of changing their packaging while others would like to see the labeling consistent across global markets. Others such as MNC Companies, only export vegetarian lines into India. For example, their cheese going to India is made with plant rennet. Extra labeling for them means extra costs passed onto the consumer. Rather than be stumped by the guidelines which do not categorize dietary supplements, the Murugappa group has decided to label their products with a complete ingredient list. Even with all these obstacles, the Health Ministry is forging ahead to enforce the brown dot.