(a) whether the Government propose to make the labelling of food packets as vegetarian or non-vegetarian food mandatory;
(b) whether egg has been considered as a non-vegetarian item;
(c) whether Poultry Federation of India has protested and submitted representation against the notifications issued by the Government in this regard;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the reaction of the Government thereto?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI N.T. SHANMUGAM)
(a) to (c) Yes, Sir.
(d) The Poultry Federation of India represented that unfertilized eggs which do not develop into chick may be considered as Vegetarian.
(e)There is no apparent mechanism to distinguish between fertilised and unfertilised eggs. However, given the predominant cultural and religious practices of the people in this country, packages containing egg or food products containing egg as an ingredient are proposed to be treated as Non-Vegetarian food.