What is the new proposal?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a new front-of-pack labelling (FoPL) system for packaged foods. After years of debate, and a recent push from the Supreme Court, the regulator has put forward a plan for a mandatory
warning label. This label will be a bright red, hexagonal symbol designed to immediately flag products that are high in sugar, added saturated fat, and salt. The goal is to provide a simple, prominent, and easily understandable warning that helps shoppers, including children and other vulnerable groups, make informed choices at a glance.
The Red Hexagon Warning
Instead of a previously debated star rating system, FSSAI has now opted for a direct warning model. The proposal specifies a red hexagonal label on the front of packs with declarations like “HIGH SUGAR,” “HIGH FAT,” or “HIGH SALT.” For sugary drinks, a “HIGHLY SWEETENED BEVERAGE” warning would apply. To ensure visibility, the font size for these warnings must be at least one point larger than the text used in the nutritional information table on the back of the package. This model is similar to warning systems that have been implemented in other countries, such as Chile.
What is considered 'high'?
The thresholds for what qualifies as high in fat, sugar, or salt will be based on the Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024, which were issued by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition. This ensures the warnings are grounded in scientific recommendations specific to the Indian population's dietary needs. The proposal focuses specifically on added saturated fat and added sugar, rather than total amounts, to target the ingredients often used in ultra-processed foods. However, some public health advocates have raised concerns, arguing that using 'added' sugar instead of 'total' sugar could create loopholes.
A Phased Rollout
The implementation is planned in two phases to give the food industry time to adapt and reformulate products. In Phase I, the red warning label will be required for products that are high in two or more of the specified nutrients: added fat, added sugar, or salt. In Phase II, the rule will become stricter, extending the warning requirement to products that are high in even a single one of these nutrients. While a timeline for Phase I has not been set, there is currently no specified date for the start of Phase II, which has drawn criticism from health experts who fear potential delays.
Why The Push for New Labels?
This regulatory move is a direct response to India's growing public health crisis concerning non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Conditions like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are on the rise, and diet is a major contributing factor. The Supreme Court has highlighted the need for transparent nutritional information to protect citizens, especially children, who are often the target of aggressive marketing for ultra-processed foods. With studies projecting that millions of Indians could be overweight or obese in the coming decades, this labelling system is seen as a crucial intervention to empower consumers.
Industry and Expert Reactions
Public health advocates and consumer groups have largely celebrated the shift to a warning-based system after years of campaigning against other models like health star ratings, which they argued could be misleading. However, some experts have flagged concerns about the two-nutrient threshold in Phase I, suggesting it might let many unhealthy products off the hook initially. The food and beverage industry, including major players like Nestle and Coca-Cola, has historically resisted such labels, arguing they can be confusing and that a focus on portion control is better. Exemptions have also been proposed for single-ingredient products like ghee, oil, salt, and sugar, which was a point of contention previously.
