Supreme Court Presses FSSAI to Speed Up Packaged-Food Warning Labels

The Supreme Court has questioned the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India over the time proposed for introducing front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat. A Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.

Vinod Chandran challenged the regulator’s plan to spend four months consulting and finalising draft regulations, followed by a 365-day voluntary implementation period for food businesses. The court’s remarks came while hearing a public interest petition by 3S and Our Health Society. The organisation has sought warning labels similar to those used in other countries, arguing that consumers, including children, should be alerted to high levels of nutrients associated with possible health risks.

The FSSAI’s affidavit proposed notifying the rules by July 1 next year, after which manufacturers would receive a further year to transition. The regulator said the process begun in 2022 concerned an Indian Nutrition Rating star system based on a different standard. The proposed system would use a warning symbol on the front of a package when even one nutrient of concern exceeded its prescribed threshold.

The FSSAI suggested a red hexagon on a white square background, placed at the top-left of the pack and displayed more prominently than back-of-pack nutritional information. The Bench said it would seek a balance in setting a reasonable timetable but indicated that its directions would be binding. It also said the matter could remain pending so compliance could be monitored.

The court has separately asked the regulator to examine whether reducing salt, sugar and fat could lead manufacturers to use more preservatives, emulsifiers or other additives. It reserved its order.