Winning Bizness Desk
Mumbai.Supreme Court warns Centre over warning labels on packaged food high in sugar, salt and fat
The Supreme Court on Thursday gave the Centre and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) a final warning over front-of-pack warning labels on packaged food. The court said that if the government fails to take a decision on displaying clear warnings about excessive sugar, salt and fat on products such as snacks, biscuits and chips, it may issue its own directions.
Court questions government’s delay over nutrition warnings
A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran said the issue concerns the health of citizens, particularly growing children, and decisions should not be influenced by corporate pressure. The court said it was acting in the public interest and questioned what the government had done despite earlier directions issued around six months ago.
- The court asked why the Centre was hesitating over stricter nutrition warnings.
- It questioned whether corporate houses were putting pressure on the government.
- It said manufacturers may dislike such warnings, but consumers have a right to know what they are eating.
PIL challenges FSSAI decision on food labels
The hearing took place on a public interest litigation (PIL). The petitioner alleged that decisions taken at an FSSAI meeting on March 7 were contrary to the Supreme Court’s earlier directions. It also argued that the food regulator was relying on objections raised by the industry while ignoring evidence from civil society supporting warning labels as a public health measure.
FSSAI told the court that the food industry opposed warning labels on the front of packages. Instead, it proposed displaying information on added sugar, saturated fat and recommended daily salt intake through a nutrition table. Food companies have argued that prominent red warning symbols could adversely affect their business.
Government invokes traditional Indian food argument
Additional Solicitor General Brijender Chahar, appearing for the Centre, argued that traditional Indian foods such as namkeen, bhujia and snacks naturally contain relatively high levels of salt and fat. Applying standards followed by developed countries, he said, could result in several traditional Indian foods carrying red warning marks.
The Supreme Court rejected the argument and questioned whether India should always remain a developing country. It also asked whether the government did not want to ensure the health of its citizens and children. The bench said consumers must have the freedom to make an informed choice, even if manufacturers do not favour such labels.
Warning labels will inform, not ban food sales
The court clarified that warning labels are not intended to stop the sale of packaged food. Their purpose is to alert consumers before they make a purchase. The bench said manufacturers may fear a business impact, but the final decision should rest with the consumer after seeing the warning.
- A front-of-pack label is a simple visual symbol or coloured warning placed on the front of a food package.
- It indicates when salt, sugar or fat levels cross prescribed limits.
- The Centre and FSSAI have been given two weeks to act on the proposal.
Global experience shows impact of warning labels
If implemented in India, front-of-pack warning labels could make nutritional information easier to understand while shopping and encourage companies to reformulate products with lower levels of sugar and salt. Countries including Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Uruguay and Israel already use such warnings.
Studies from these countries have indicated changes in consumer choices, including reduced purchases of products high in sugar, salt and saturated fat. Companies have also reduced these ingredients to avoid unhealthy-product warnings. For Indian consumers, checking sodium and added sugar alongside MRP and expiry dates could therefore become an important part of making healthier food choices.
