Key Update

The Supreme Court has given the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) a final three-month extension to finalise its recommendations on mandatory Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL). Healthcare experts and NGOs are demanding immediate action, stressing that these labels are vital to curb non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India.

Lack of Labels Worsens Public Health Crisis

The new deadline of mid-October 2025 comes after FSSAI failed to meet the July 9 deadline set by the apex court. Officials at the Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC), a consumer rights non-profit, said the court’s firm stance underscores the urgency of clear food labelling. They noted that consumers need at-a-glance warnings about high levels of sugar, salt, and saturated fats in packaged foods.

CERC CEO Anindita Mehta says, “India faces an escalating public health crisis due to diet-related NCDs like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, largely driven by the consumption of unhealthy packaged foods.” She explained that FOPL would provide clear, pictorial warnings to help consumers make informed, healthier choices.

Medical view

Doctors witness the impact daily. Diabetologist and metabolic physician Dr. Banshi Saboo said, “Many patients with diabetes, obesity, or hypertension have a history of eating excess packaged foods, especially those in field jobs like marketing.” He added, “Even students’ tiffins containing packaged noodles or bread aren’t good for health. FOPL with simple, clear warning signs—even ones an uneducated person can understand—can promote mindful eating and reduce NCDs in the country.”

Long road to implementation

India’s FOPL journey began in 2014 when an FSSAI committee first recommended warning labels. Since then, CERC and four other consumer organisations have campaigned for a simple, mandatory label. Despite several draft regulations, progress has been slow. In 2021, FSSAI formed a stakeholder group but later shifted toward a health-star rating system instead of warning labels. Consumer advocates criticised the move as ineffective in tackling rising NCDs.

Source: Ahmedabad Mirror