Key facts
- India's FSSAI has proposed mandatory front-of-pack warning labels for packaged foods high in sugar, salt, and fat.
- The proposed labels will be bold red hexagons.
- Products exceeding nutrient thresholds set by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) will require the labels.
- Products high in at least two of the three nutrients (added sugar, salt, saturated fat) or highly sweetened beverages will be covered in Phase I.
- Single-ingredient foods and items like milk, ghee, edible oils, sugar, jaggery, and honey are exempt.
- The proposal comes after criticism from the Supreme Court over regulatory delays.
India's food regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), is moving towards implementing mandatory front-of-pack warning labels for packaged foods that are high in sugar, salt, and fat. This initiative, prompted by sharp criticism from the Supreme Court over regulatory delays, aims to provide consumers with clearer nutritional information.
The FSSAI has proposed a framework featuring bold red hexagonal warning labels for products exceeding specific nutrient thresholds set by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN). These labels will explicitly declare 'High Fat', 'High Sugar', or 'High Salt', with combined warnings for products exceeding multiple limits. A distinct 'Highly Sweetened Beverage' label will also be mandated for sugary drinks.
However, the proposal has drawn mixed reactions. Health experts and activists argue that requiring a product to be high in at least two of the three specified nutrients before a warning is applied may allow some unhealthy products to escape scrutiny. They point to Chile's system of separate black warning labels for individual nutrients as a potentially more effective model. Conversely, the food industry has expressed concerns about the strictness of the thresholds and the use of a 100-gram benchmark instead of single-serving amounts.
Single-ingredient foods and products naturally rich in certain nutrients, such as milk, ghee, edible oils, sugar, jaggery, and honey, are exempt from the new labeling requirements. The FSSAI has outlined a two-phase implementation plan to allow manufacturers time to reformulate their products. The regulatory shift comes amid growing concerns about obesity and unhealthy diets in India, with projections indicating a significant rise in overweight and obese adults by 2050.