What's the New Proposal?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has put forward a proposal for a mandatory Front-of-Pack Labelling (FoPL) system. This involves placing a prominent, red-coloured hexagonal symbol on packaged foods that exceed prescribed limits
for added sugar, salt, or saturated fat. The idea is to provide a simple, at-a-glance warning that is easy for shoppers to understand without having to decipher complex nutritional tables on the back of the package. The labels will clearly state “HIGH SUGAR”, “HIGH SALT”, or “HIGH FAT” in a font size larger than the current nutrition information panel, making them hard to miss. This move comes after the Supreme Court strongly urged the FSSAI to take decisive action to protect public health, particularly that of children.
How Would It Work?
The implementation is planned in two phases to give the food industry time to adapt and reformulate products. In the first phase, the red hexagonal warning will be mandatory for products that are high in two or more of the concerning nutrients (fat, sugar, salt). This phase will also include a specific warning for “HIGHLY SWEETENED BEVERAGE”. The second phase will extend the rule to products that are high in even a single one of these nutrients. The thresholds for what constitutes 'high' levels will be based on the Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024, which were issued by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition. This phased approach aims to balance consumer health with industry readiness.
Why This Change Now?
This proposal marks a significant shift from FSSAI's previous plans. For years, the regulator had been considering an “Indian Nutrition Rating” (INR) system, which would have assigned products a star rating from half a star to five stars. However, this model failed to gain consensus among stakeholders, including health advocates and industry bodies, and was eventually deferred. The new warning label system was proposed after significant judicial pressure and feedback from public health advocates who argued that a simple warning is more effective than a graded rating system. Consumer surveys also indicated a strong preference for clear warning labels over star ratings, with many believing it would help them make healthier decisions.
Who Will This Affect?
The proposed rules will impact a vast range of packaged foods, from biscuits and snacks to ready-to-eat meals and sugary drinks. However, certain single-ingredient commodity foods like ghee, edible oils, salt, sugar, jaggery, and honey are proposed to be exempt from these specific front-of-pack warnings. For food companies, this signals a major change. Brands may need to reformulate their products to avoid the red warning label, which could be perceived negatively by consumers. Industry groups representing major players like Nestlé and Coca-Cola have previously opposed such labels, citing potential consumer confusion. Conversely, public health experts and consumer activists have championed the move as a crucial step towards combating rising rates of obesity and lifestyle-related diseases in India.
The Road Ahead
This is still a proposal submitted to the Supreme Court, not a final regulation. It is part of a broader crackdown by the FSSAI on misleading claims and non-compliant labelling. The regulator has recently taken action against brands using terms like “100% Natural” and “0% Maida” without proper justification. While health advocates have celebrated the shift towards warning labels, some have raised concerns about the phased implementation, particularly the lack of a specific timeline for the second phase. The next steps will involve finalising the draft regulations and navigating the complex landscape of consumer health and industry interests. For now, Indian consumers are one step closer to having much clearer information on the front of their food packages, empowering them to make more informed choices for themselves and their families.
