Report

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (July 15) granted the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) an additional three months to finalise its recommendations on proposed amendments for front-of-pack nutrition warning labels on packaged foods. A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan allowed the extension, calling it the “last opportunity” for the expert committee to submit its report. The Court warned that failure to meet the deadline would invite legal action.

Background of the Case

On April 9, the Court had given the committee three months to recommend changes to the Front-of-Package Warning Labels (FOPL) regulations. These labels aim to inform consumers about sugar, salt, and fat content in packaged foods, enabling them to make healthier dietary choices. The directions came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by 3S and Our Health Society, which highlighted the urgent need for clear, interpretive labels to tackle rising cases of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

FSSAI’s Submissions

FSSAI, in its affidavit, informed the Court that it had notified draft amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 on September 13, 2022, and invited public feedback. The draft received over 14,000 comments from stakeholders, including food businesses, consumers, and advocacy groups. To review these inputs, FSSAI formed an expert committee on February 17, 2023. The committee held five meetings and prepared a report recommending a Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL) system. This report, along with the final draft notification, is pending approval from the Scientific Committee.

What the New System Proposes

The proposed amendment introduces the Indian Nutrition Rating (INR)—a star-rating system ranging from 0.5 to 5 stars. The rating will appear prominently on the front of packaged foods to reflect their overall nutritional value. A higher star rating indicates a healthier product. The goal is to simplify complex nutritional data, allowing consumers to assess a product’s health profile at a glance and encouraging informed choices.

Key Takeaways

• FSSAI gets three more months to finalise recommendations on nutrition warning labels.

• The INR star-rating system aims to fight lifestyle diseases by promoting healthier eating.

• Failure to meet the deadline may trigger legal consequences, the Court warned

Source: Live Law