FSSAI Signals It May Roll Out Stricter Food Warning Labels in One Go

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has told the Supreme Court that it is willing to adopt stricter front-of-pack warning labels on food products, a move that could affect the country's large packaged food industry.

During a hearing on Thursday, the regulator indicated it could combine the two phases of its proposed labelling programme into a single rollout. Under the plan floated last month, products exceeding limits in at least two of three categories — added sugar, salt or saturated fat — would carry red hexagonal warning labels, with stricter rules to follow in a second phase.

Supreme Court Justice J.B. Pardiwala questioned the rationale for a phased approach, asking a government lawyer why the regulator was not applying the criteria together. He stressed that both sugar and salt should be considered, suggesting that only then would manufacturers be required to display a warning label.

Responding for the FSSAI, Additional Solicitor General Brijender Chahar said that after hearing the court's observations, the regulator was now suggesting the phases could be rolled out "in one go." If adopted, that would mean foods high in even one of the three nutrients — added sugar, salt or fat — would carry a red hexagon.

The proposal has drawn criticism from health experts and activists, who argue that the two-nutrient threshold amounts to an industry-friendly loophole and leaves many products outside the scope of scrutiny. The Supreme Court has been hearing pleas from activists seeking stricter labelling rules for several months.

The outcome of the case is being closely watched by the food industry, which has opposed tougher warning requirements.