Significant Update

India’s food regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has sought additional time from the Supreme Court of India to finalise the format for front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS). In an affidavit filed on 13 March 2026, the regulator told the court that it is still evaluating how these labels should appear. FSSAI said it is considering either a pictorial warning system or a tabular format to clearly flag products with high levels of unhealthy nutrients so that consumers can make informed choices.

Court Pushes for Clearer Food Warnings

The affidavit follows a 10 February direction from the Supreme Court asking FSSAI to examine the possibility of introducing mandatory front-of-pack warnings on foods high in sugar, sodium or saturated fat. The court also suggested introducing a positive front-of-pack logo to help consumers identify healthier products. While reviewing the regulator’s earlier compliance report, the court expressed dissatisfaction with the progress made and observed that the exercise had not produced any meaningful outcome.

Global Practices Under Review

FSSAI told the court it has reviewed front-of-pack labelling systems used worldwide. According to the regulator, 44 countries have adopted such systems, with 16 making them mandatory and others implementing them voluntarily. However, the authority said India cannot directly replicate a single global model. Given the country’s diverse population, multiple languages and varying literacy levels, the labelling format must remain simple, clear and locally suitable. FSSAI has requested six more weeks to finalise the proposal.

Consultation and Regulatory Process

FSSAI has scheduled a stakeholder consultation on March 19 to discuss the proposed labelling system. Based on the discussions, the regulator will draft amendments to existing labelling regulations. The proposal will then undergo review by scientific panels, the Scientific Committee and the Food Authority before being sent to the Union health ministry for approval. After clearance, it will be published in the Gazette for public comments before final implementation.

Rising Concerns Over HFSS Foods

The move comes amid growing concern over the rising consumption of ultra-processed foods such as chips, sugary drinks, instant noodles and packaged snacks. Dietary guidelines issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Institute of Nutrition classify foods exceeding recommended limits for fat, sugar and salt as HFSS foods. Regular consumption has been linked to obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Currently, nutritional information appears mainly on the back of food packs. Front-of-pack warning labels aim to provide simple, visible alerts that help consumers quickly identify unhealthy products.

Concerns Over Delays

Public health groups say the issue has already undergone years of discussion and consultation. Experts from Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest India (NAPi) warn that repeated consultations could further delay the introduction of an important public health measure. They have also cautioned against industry influence in designing warning labels, saying public health warnings should remain free from commercial interests.

Source: The Print