Product information on packs to be displayed more prominently

Display of product information on at least 40 percent of the package will be mandatory from July, the consumer affairs ministry said on Friday.

"Certain mandatory information shall have to be displayed on at least 40 percent of the package, except top and bottom, so that these are easily readable by prospective consumers," an official release said here.

Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan directed ministry officials to ensure enforcement of the amended rule from July, while chairing a meeting of Bureau of Indian Standards at Mussoorie in Uttarakhand on Thursday, informed sources said.

The name of the manufacturer/packager/importer, net quantity of packed product, manufacturing date, retail sale price and consumer care contacts shall have to be displayed in readable font size.

"A monitoring cell will be set up to ensure strict compliance with the new provision," the sources said.

The consumer affairs ministry will also set up a quick response system to attend to consumer complaints and the existing National Consumer Helpline is being geared up for the purpose, the release said.

Paswan said he hoped that the Consumer Protection Act, with many unique features to safeguard the interests of consumers, will be passed by parliament in the coming session.