FSSAI proposes red labels for unhealthy food

• FSSAI proposes red warning labels for high salt, sugar or fat foods
• Labels follow Supreme Court orders to combat obesity and diabetes
• Consumers will see clear hexagonal signs on packaged food packs

Your grocery run might soon look very different. India's food safety authority, FSSAI, has proposed mandatory 'red labels' on packaged foods high in salt, sugar, or fat, a move that could change how we shop and what we eat.

What Exactly is FSSAI Proposing?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has put forward a new rule for front-of-pack labelling (FoPL). The proposal, submitted to the Supreme Court, suggests a prominent, red, hexagonal symbol on the front of packaged foods. This label will act as a warning sign, clearly stating if a product is 'High in Sugar', 'High in Salt', or 'High in Fat'. This move comes after the Supreme Court strongly urged the FSSAI to take decisive action to protect public health, especially that of children, from the risks of unhealthy diets. The font size for these warnings must be larger than the nutritional information on the back, making them impossible to miss. The thresholds for what constitutes 'high' levels will be based on the 2024 Dietary Guidelines for Indians, developed by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition.

Why is This Happening Now?

This proposal is a direct response to India's growing public health crisis concerning non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions. Health activists and the Supreme Court have highlighted the link between these diseases and the rising consumption of ultra-processed foods, which are often packed with excessive amounts of fat, sugar, and salt. The court noted that while commercial interests are important, they cannot override public health. With consumption of ultra-processed foods growing rapidly, and conditions like obesity projected to affect millions more, health experts see these labels as a crucial tool to help consumers make informed choices at a glance. A recent consumer survey found that 80% of Indians support mandatory warning labels on such foods.

Which Foods Will Get a Red Label?

The red labels will be applied to packaged food products that exceed the prescribed limits for saturated fat, sugar, or salt. This includes a wide range of popular items like chips, biscuits, instant noodles, chocolates, and sugary beverages. However, some products will be exempt. These include single-ingredient foods like ghee, edible oils, regular salt, sugar, jaggery, and honey. The FSSAI plans to roll out the system in two phases. In the first phase, the red label will be mandatory for products that are high in two or more of the concerning nutrients (fat, salt, sugar). In the second phase, the rule will extend to products that are high in even a single one of these nutrients, making the regulations even more stringent.

Has This Been Tried Elsewhere?

India isn't the first country to consider such a measure. Several nations, including developing countries like Chile and Mexico, have already implemented similar front-of-pack warning label systems. These octagonal, black-and-white 'stop signs' have been praised by public health advocates for their simplicity and effectiveness. In these countries, studies have shown a noticeable shift in consumer behaviour, with many people choosing healthier alternatives after the introduction of clear warning labels. The Supreme Court specifically pointed to these international examples, suggesting India should adopt similar affirmative steps to protect its citizens. The goal is not to ban products, but to provide an immediate, easy-to-understand visual cue that empowers consumers to make healthier decisions without needing to decipher complex nutrition tables.

What is the Industry's Take?

The proposal has not been without debate. Major players in the food and beverage industry, including companies like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé, have expressed concerns. They have argued that such labels could negatively impact sales and that encouraging portion control might be a better approach. Some industry executives have suggested that a simple symbol is an oversimplification and may not significantly alter consumer habits. This resistance contributed to previous delays and a now-withdrawn proposal for a 'star rating' system, which was seen as confusing and less direct than a warning label. However, following sharp criticism from the Supreme Court for the delays, the FSSAI has now shifted its stance firmly towards the red hexagonal warning system.