Goodbye Stars, Hello Warnings
For years, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) considered a "Health Star Rating" system, similar to those in Australia and New Zealand. This would have rated foods from half a star to five stars based on their overall nutritional
profile. However, after criticism from public health experts who argued that star ratings could be misleading—potentially giving a high-sugar product a favourable rating for having some added protein—the plan was shelved. Now, prompted by scrutiny from the Supreme Court, FSSAI has reversed its position and proposed a more direct approach: mandatory front-of-pack warning labels.
What the New Labels Will Look Like
The new proposal involves a simple but striking visual cue: a red, hexagonal symbol placed prominently on the front of the package. Inside this hexagon, text will explicitly state if the product is “HIGH IN SUGAR,” “HIGH IN SALT,” or “HIGH FAT”. For certain drinks, a “HIGHLY SWEETENED BEVERAGE” warning will apply. The idea is to provide a clear, unambiguous warning that is easy to understand without needing to decipher complex nutritional charts on the back of the pack. The thresholds for these warnings will be based on the latest Dietary Guidelines for Indians, issued in 2024 by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition.
The Two-Phase Implementation Plan
FSSAI has proposed rolling out these new labels in two distinct phases to give the food industry time to adapt and reformulate products. In Phase I, the red hexagonal warning will be mandatory only for products that are high in two or more of the concerning nutrients: added sugar, salt, and saturated fat. For example, a snack high in both salt and fat would need to carry the label. In Phase II, the rule will become stricter. A warning label will be required on any product that is high in even a single one of these nutrients. This phased approach is intended to ease the transition for manufacturers and help consumers gradually adapt to the new system.
Why This Change Is Happening Now
This regulatory push is a response to India's growing public health challenges. Non-communicable diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are on the rise, and increased consumption of ultra-processed foods high in sugar, salt, and fat is a major contributing factor. Health advocates and non-profits have long campaigned for clearer labelling, arguing that consumers need simple tools to make healthier choices. The issue eventually reached the Supreme Court, which has been hearing a public interest litigation on the matter and has repeatedly urged the government to implement effective warning labels to protect public health, particularly that of children.
A Step Forward, But Concerns Remain
While public health advocates have welcomed the move away from star ratings toward warning labels, some concerns remain about the details of the new proposal. The primary criticism is directed at the first phase of the rollout. Experts worry that requiring a warning only when a product is high in two or more nutrients creates a significant loophole. A product loaded with an extremely high amount of sugar could escape being labelled in Phase I if its salt and fat levels are below the threshold. Activists argue that the warning should be triggered if even one nutrient is too high, a standard used in countries like Chile and Mexico. Despite this, the proposal is seen as a significant step toward empowering Indian consumers to make more informed decisions in the grocery aisle.
