Winning Bizness Desk

Mumbai.Food packets may carry front warnings as FSSAI proposes stricter labelling rules

Packaged food products containing artificial sweeteners may soon have to carry a prominent warning on the front of the packet, making it easier for consumers to identify products containing non-caloric sweeteners.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) told the Supreme Court on Monday that it was considering a rule requiring such products to display the words “CONTAIN NON-CALORIC SWEETENER”. At present, information about artificial sweeteners is generally provided in smaller print on the back of the package.

The proposal is part of wider discussions on front-of-pack labelling for packaged foods containing high levels of sugar, salt and saturated fat.

Court presses FSSAI over delay in warning rules

The matter is being heard by the Supreme Court following a public interest litigation filed by 3S and Our Health Society, a public charitable trust. The petition seeks warning labels on packaged and processed food products.

The court has repeatedly questioned the delay in finalising the labelling framework.

On August 13, a bench of Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice K Vinod Chandran questioned FSSAI over the delay and asked why action was taking so long when the issue concerned public health. On August 31, FSSAI filed an affidavit proposing a two-phase implementation of red, hexagonal warning labels.

Earlier plan proposed two phases for implementation

Under the earlier proposal:

• Phase 1 would cover products exceeding prescribed limits for any two or more of fat, sugar or salt.
• Highly sugary carbonated drinks would also come under the proposed warning system.
• Phase 2 would extend the warning to products exceeding the prescribed limit for any one of these components.

On September 10, the Supreme Court asked FSSAI to provide a clear timeline for implementing the two phases.

FSSAI now proposes single-phase warning system

During the September 28 hearing, FSSAI said it would need four months to issue the notification, followed by 60 days for public suggestions and objections. It also proposed giving food companies 365 days to comply with the new requirements. The court questioned the need to restart the process of seeking objections and suggestions, pointing out that the exercise had begun in 2022.

The bench also questioned what had been done during the intervening four years and why implementation was taking so long when the issue concerned people's health. Following the questions, FSSAI said the front-of-pack warning requirements could instead be introduced in a single phase rather than in two stages. The Supreme Court has reserved its order.

Front labels designed to simplify nutrition information

Front-of-pack labelling is intended to put important nutritional information where consumers can see it immediately.

At present, packaged foods generally carry nutritional information on the back or side of the package, usually in a table.

The information can include:

• Calories
• Total fat
• Protein
• Sugar
• Sodium

Nutritional values per 100 grams, 100 millilitres or serving

The proposed front-of-pack system would present key information in a simpler and more visible format.

Some single-ingredient foods may remain exempt

The proposed warning system is not expected to cover every food product. Single-ingredient products and certain foods that are naturally high in fat, sugar or salt may be kept outside the proposed front-of-pack warning framework.

The categories proposed for exemption include:

• Pure ghee
• Edible oils
• Ordinary salt
• Sugar
• Jaggery
• Honey

The exemptions are part of the proposed framework and would depend on the final rules notified by the authorities.

Artificial sweeteners to get prominent front warning

The separate proposal concerning non-caloric sweeteners would change how consumers see information about artificial sweeteners. Instead of relying only on information printed on the back of the packet, products containing such sweeteners would carry a clear front warning stating that they contain non-caloric sweeteners.

The change would apply to packaged food and beverages covered by the applicable food-safety regulations. The issue has assumed importance amid concerns over consumption of packaged and ultra-processed foods containing high levels of sugar, salt and fat.

Saturated and unsaturated fats serve different roles

The proposed labelling framework also distinguishes between different types of dietary fat.

Saturated fat is commonly found in ghee, butter, cream, paneer, cheese, fatty meat and coconut oil. Excessive intake can raise LDL, or bad cholesterol, in the blood.

Unsaturated fat is mainly found in foods such as peanuts, almonds, walnuts, sesame, mustard oil, olive oil and fish.

• Saturated fat: Excessive consumption can raise LDL cholesterol.
• Unsaturated fat: Appropriate consumption is generally considered beneficial for heart health.
• Front labels: Designed to make key nutritional information easier to notice.
• Warning labels: Intended to alert consumers to products crossing specified nutritional limits.

What consumers need to know about proposed labels

The proposed front-of-pack system is aimed at helping consumers understand the nutritional profile of packaged food without having to study detailed information printed on the back. The central idea is to make important information visible at the point of purchase.

The Supreme Court's intervention has brought renewed focus on the pace of India's food-labelling reforms. The final shape of the rules, including the implementation timeline and exemptions, will depend on the court's order and subsequent regulatory action by FSSAI.