Decoding the Red Hexagon
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a new Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FoPNL) system. This involves a red, hexagonal symbol placed prominently on the front of packaged goods. This label will clearly state if a product
is “High in Sugar,” “High in Salt,” or “High in Fat.” The move, prompted by a directive from the Supreme Court, aims to provide consumers with simple, at-a-glance information to make healthier choices, especially for children and other vulnerable groups. The thresholds for these nutrients will be based on the 2024 dietary guidelines for Indians issued by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN).
The Public Health Rationale
This regulatory shift is rooted in a growing public health crisis. India is facing a rising tide of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions. Studies show that an average Indian household now derives more calories from processed foods than from fruits, and a significant portion of household food budgets is spent on items high in fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS). Health experts and organisations like the World Health Organization have long advocated for such warning labels, citing evidence from countries like Chile where similar measures led to a significant decrease in the purchase of unhealthy foods. The goal is not to ban these products, but to empower consumers with clear information to understand what they are eating.
Which Foods Will Be Affected?
The regulation will target a wide array of packaged and processed foods. This includes the usual suspects like potato chips, instant noodles, cookies, and sugary soft drinks. Essentially, any pre-packaged food product that exceeds the FSSAI's defined limits for added saturated fat, sugar, or salt will be required to display the warning. A separate label for “Highly Sweetened Beverage” is also part of the proposal. However, there will be some exemptions. Single-ingredient products such as pure ghee, edible oils, honey, sugar, and salt are likely to be excluded from these labelling requirements.
A Phased Rollout and Industry Reaction
The FSSAI plans to implement these changes in phases. In the first phase, the red warning label will be mandatory for products that are high in two or more of the nutrients of concern (fat, salt, sugar). In the second phase, this will be extended to products high in even a single one of these nutrients. This phased approach is intended to give the food industry time to adapt and potentially reformulate their products to meet healthier standards. For years, many major food and beverage companies and their industry bodies have resisted such warning labels, arguing they could confuse consumers. However, public health advocates have maintained that clear, interpretive warnings are crucial for public health, pushing back against industry-preferred models like the Health Star Rating, which they argue can be misleading.
