What Exactly Is Being Proposed?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has submitted a proposal to the Supreme Court for a new Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL) system. The plan involves placing a prominent red, hexagonal warning label on packaged foods that
exceed specified limits for salt, added sugar, or saturated fat. These labels will clearly state “HIGH SUGAR,” “HIGH SALT,” or “HIGH FAT” in a font size larger than the current nutrition tables on the back of packs. The move comes after the Supreme Court questioned delays and pushed for clearer warnings to help consumers make informed choices. This marks a significant shift from previous discussions around a ‘Health Star Rating’ system, opting instead for a direct, interpretive warning that requires no calculation from the shopper.
A Phased Rollout Plan
The FSSAI intends to implement this new labelling system in two phases to give both the industry time to reformulate products and consumers time to adapt. In the first phase, the red warning label will be mandatory for products that are high in two or more of the concerning nutrients—for example, a snack high in both salt and fat. This phase will also cover certain highly sweetened beverages. The second phase will expand the rule to include products that are high in even a single nutrient. However, some single-ingredient products that are naturally high in these nutrients, such as ghee, edible oils, honey, and pure sugar or salt, will be exempt from these specific warnings.
Why the Push for Warning Labels Now?
This proposal is a direct response to India's growing public health crisis related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Health experts have long argued that the high consumption of ultra-processed foods, which are often packed with excessive salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, is a major contributor to this trend. For years, consumer organizations and public health advocates have pushed for simple warning labels over more complex systems like star ratings. They argue that direct warnings are the most effective way to help people, regardless of their literacy level, quickly identify unhealthy products. A recent consumer survey indicated that 94% of people believe a red warning label would help them make better purchasing decisions.
The Debate: Warnings vs. Stars
The journey to this proposal has been long, marked by a significant debate between two types of labels. On one side were health advocates and consumer groups, championing stark warning labels similar to those used on tobacco products. On the other side, many in the food industry have shown a preference for a 'Health Star Rating' (HSR) system, similar to what's used in Australia and New Zealand. The HSR system rates foods on a scale of stars, balancing negative nutrients (fat, sugar) with positive ones (fibre, protein). Critics argue this can be misleading, as a sugary cereal could get a deceptively high star rating by adding a small amount of fibre. The FSSAI's new proposal signals a decisive move toward the warning label model, which prioritizes highlighting risk over providing a graded score.
Lessons from Around the World
India is not the first country to consider such a move. Several nations, particularly in Latin America, have already implemented mandatory warning labels with significant success. Chile, a pioneer in this area, introduced black octagonal warning signs in 2016. Studies there showed a notable decline in the purchase of sugary drinks and other unhealthy products. The policy also spurred many companies to reformulate their products to avoid having to display the warning label. Mexico, Peru, and Brazil are among other countries that have adopted similar effective, consumer-friendly warning systems, providing a wealth of evidence that such labels can positively influence both consumer behavior and industry practices.
