- Food warning labels proposal in India draws first formal complaint
Activists Challenge Food Labelling Proposal in Supreme Court
NEW DELHI, Sept 7 – Indian activists have formally objected to a government proposal regarding food labelling, claiming it favors industry interests at the expense of public health. The complaint, submitted by the nonprofit group 3S And Our Health to the Supreme Court, argues that the plan’s provision for red warnings on labels only when two specific nutrients are high creates an ‘industry-friendly loophole’ that allows harmful products to go unchecked.
This marks the first legal challenge against the labelling proposal, which is currently under review by the Supreme Court amid ongoing discussions involving activists, industry representatives, and government officials. The government has not yet set a timeline for the different phases of the proposal and is awaiting the court’s decision on the matter.
Some industry groups have expressed their opposition to the proposed measure, arguing that it could lead to a significant number of packaged products receiving warning labels, which they believe would negatively impact consumer demand. Executives from these groups shared their concerns with Reuters last week.
