NEW DELHI, September 11: The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and food regulator FSSAI to provide a clear implementation timeline within 10 days for introducing front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat.
Court Questions Delay in Warning Labels
A Bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran expressed concern over FSSAI’s proposed phased rollout, warning that stricter requirements could be delayed indefinitely without fixed deadlines.
The court said considerations such as consumer acceptance or giving food companies additional time to reformulate products should not result in uncertainty over implementation.
Red Warning Labels Proposed
FSSAI has proposed red hexagonal front-of-pack labels to warn consumers when packaged products exceed prescribed limits for nutrients such as:
- Added sugar
- Salt
- Saturated fat
The regulator had initially proposed warnings in the first phase only when a product exceeded limits in at least two of these categories.
FSSAI Open to Tougher Single-Phase Rules
During the hearing, FSSAI revised its position and indicated that it would consider warning labels even when a product exceeds the prescribed limit for just one nutrient of concern.
The regulator is also open to implementing stronger requirements in a single phase rather than waiting for a second stage.
Public Health Concerns Drive Case
The case stems from a public-interest petition seeking stronger and clearer front-of-pack warnings so consumers can quickly identify foods containing high levels of sugar, salt or fat.
The debate has intensified amid growing concern over obesity, diabetes and diet-related diseases, while sections of the food industry have argued that the proposed labels could be confusing and require further scientific review.
The Supreme Court’s latest direction increases pressure on the government to move from proposals to a definite rollout schedule for the new labelling regime.
source – Reuters / Supreme Court
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