The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced a plan to implement prominent red warning labels on packaged foods that are high in added fats, sugars, or salt. This move comes shortly after the Supreme Court raised concerns about the FSSAI’s hesitation to adopt such labeling measures. The proposed labels aim to enhance public awareness regarding unhealthy food options and promote better dietary choices among consumers.
The proposal, disclosed in a compliance affidavit filed before the Supreme Court on Thursday, envisages a red hexagonal warning on the front of food packages where the product is high in any two or more of the specified nutrients of concern —fat, sugar or salt. The labels are designed to allow consumers to identify such products at a glance. The court had then questioned FSSAI’s reluctance to adopt warning labels for foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat and asked whether pressure from food manufacturers was influencing the regulator. “You don’t want people of this country to remain healthy? Next time we will dictate the judgement,” it had added.
The thresholds would be those prescribed under the Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024, issued by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN).
The proposed warning would carry declarations such as “HIGH FAT”, “HIGH SUGAR” and “HIGH SALT”, depending on the nutrients crossing the prescribed thresholds. For products meeting two criteria, the label would display the corresponding two warnings, such as “HIGH FAT HIGH SALT” or “HIGH FAT HIGH SUGAR”. A separate “HIGHLY SWEETENED BEVERAGE” warning has also been proposed for specified sweetened drinks. More particularly growing children?” the bench had asked, warning the authorities: “This is your last chance.
FSSAI Advances Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling System
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is moving forward with its Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling (FoPNL) system. In the first phase, products high in two or more of the following nutrients—added fat, added sugar, and salt—will be required to display warning labels. This phase will also include specific sweetened beverages.
Phase II will expand these requirements to products that are high in any one of these nutrients. However, the FSSAI has indicated that single-ingredient food products will be exempt from the warning labels. Additionally, foods that are naturally high in fat, sugar, or salt—such as ghee, edible oil, salt, sugar, jaggery, and honey—will also be excluded from the warning requirements, provided they meet other food safety and labeling regulations.
This initiative comes amid ongoing disputes regarding India’s front-of-pack labeling regulations. A public interest litigation (PIL) filed by 3S and Our Health Society has been advocating for warning labels on packaged foods with high levels of salt, sugar, and saturated fats.
