The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed mandatory front-of-pack warning labels for packaged foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat. The proposal was placed before the Supreme Court of India in a compliance affidavit and includes red-coloured, hexagonal warning symbols for specified food products.
Front-of-Pack Labelling
Front-of-pack labelling is a nutrition labelling system placed on the principal display panel of packaged food. It is used in many countries to provide quick information on nutrients such as sugar, salt, fat and energy.
In the FSSAI proposal, the labels will carry bold pictorial declarations such as “HIGH FAT”, “HIGH SUGAR”, “HIGH SALT” and “HIGHLY SWEETENED BEVERAGE”. The font size of the warning label must be at least one point larger than the font size used in the back-of-pack nutrition information table.
Nutrient Thresholds and Standards
The proposed nutrient thresholds are aligned with the Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024, issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN). These guidelines are used in India for dietary advice on sugar, salt, fats and overall food consumption.
The warning system is designed for packaged foods that exceed specified limits for target nutrients. The proposal covers sugar, salt and saturated fat, which are among the major nutrients listed in nutrition labelling frameworks.
Implementation and Regulatory Process
The implementation plan has two phases. Phase I applies to products exceeding thresholds for two or more target nutrients, while Phase II extends the requirement to products exceeding thresholds for even a single nutrient.
The proposal replaces an earlier plan for a five-star rating system. A star-rating model is a summary labelling format that assigns symbols or scores to foods on the basis of nutrient content.
Important Facts for Exams
- FSSAI is the statutory food regulator in India under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- Front-of-pack warning labels are a form of interpretive nutrition labelling used on packaged foods.
- Hexagonal warning symbols are used in some labelling systems to draw attention to high levels of nutrients.
- ICMR-NIN is a national institute involved in dietary guidelines and nutrition research in India.
Judicial and Public Health Context
The proposal was submitted during proceedings linked to a Public Interest Litigation filed by 3S and Our Health Society, a Kerala-based non-profit organisation. The Supreme Court of India has examined delays in food labelling reforms and has sought clearer disclosure on packaged foods.
Obesity and diabetes are major non-communicable diseases in India and are linked with excess intake of sugar, salt and saturated fat.
