The COVID-19 lockdown has impacted the F&B industry like never before in the history of mankind. Restaurants are struggling to get back to their feet by gradually adapting to the new normal. As the lockdown is lifted in most Indian cities, restaurants are welcoming people for dine-in services.
Restaurants are paving the way by introducing new and innovative initiatives to make it safe to eat out again for their customers while giving importance to social distancing and hygiene.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced a new regulation in which restaurant companies having more than 10 chains will have to mention serving size, calorific value per serving and allergen on their menu card. At present the new regulation is a voluntary move, but it will be made mandatory from January 1, 2022.
Arun Singhal, IAS, CEO, FSSAI said, “When we are nudging people towards the right and healthy food, it is the consumer's right to know how much calories they are consuming”. Industry players, however, said the implementation of these regulations is tough and should remain voluntary.
While Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, President, HRAWI feared that the new regulation may be used against the restaurants for various purposes. “I feel that universal implementation will be a challenge. Restricting it to a chain or only to 10 restaurants doesn’t make sense and it should be across the spectrum,” he added.
Singhal has suggested that the move should be implemented as a pilot project at least for a year to measure its practicality.