What is Front-of-Pack Labelling?
For years, the most detailed nutritional information on packaged foods in India has been tucked away on the back of the packet in a complex table. Front-of-Pack Labelling (FoPL) is a system designed to change that. The goal is to provide a simple, at-a-glance
summary of a product's nutritional quality right on the front, where consumers are most likely to see it. The World Health Organization encourages FoPL as a strategy to help consumers make healthier choices and combat the global rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and heart disease. The idea is that with clearer information, people can more easily identify products that are high in salt, sugar, and fat—nutrients that are major contributors to these health issues.
The Initial Proposal: Health Star Ratings
The debate over how to implement this in India has been long. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) initially leaned towards a 'Health Star Rating' (HSR) system, similar to what is used in Australia. This model, proposed in a 2022 draft notification as the Indian Nutrition Rating (INR), would have rated foods on a scale from half a star (least healthy) to five stars (healthiest). The rating would be based on a complex calculation that considers not just negative nutrients like sugar and fat, but also positive ones like protein, fibre, and the presence of fruits and vegetables. However, this approach faced significant criticism from public health experts. They argued that a star rating could be misleading, as a company might add a small amount of a positive nutrient, like nuts or protein, to a sugary or fatty product to earn a higher star rating, effectively masking its overall unhealthiness.
A Major Shift: The Rise of Warning Labels
Following years of debate and strong intervention from the Supreme Court, which questioned the delays, FSSAI has recently shifted its stance dramatically. In late August 2026, the regulator proposed a completely different system: mandatory warning labels. The new proposal suggests placing a red, hexagonal symbol on the front of products that are high in added fat, added sugar, or salt. This moves away from a graded rating system and towards a simple, direct warning, which many health advocates argue is more effective, especially in a country with diverse literacy levels. Studies have shown that clear warnings are more effective than interpretative ratings at helping consumers identify unhealthy products. The proposed warnings would state “High Fat,” “High Sugar,” or “High Salt” within the red hexagon.
The Current Controversy: A Phased Rollout
While health groups have welcomed the move towards warning labels, the specifics of the proposal have sparked a new debate. FSSAI has suggested a two-phase implementation. In Phase I, a warning label would only be required if a product is high in two or more of the concerning nutrients (sugar, salt, fat). A product high in only sugar, for instance, would not carry a warning initially. The warning would extend to products high in any single nutrient only in a future Phase II, for which no clear timeline has been given. This phased approach has drawn criticism from health advocates and consumers, with many arguing that a product high in even one of these nutrients should carry an immediate warning. The Supreme Court has also questioned this approach, asking FSSAI for a clear, scientifically justified timeline and a basis for the two-phase system.
What Does the Industry Say?
The food industry's reaction has been cautious but generally supportive of the principle of providing consumers with more information. Representatives from major food companies and industry bodies have stated they are aligned with FSSAI's intent to empower consumers. The main point of contention for the industry is not whether to label, but how. They have been involved in consultations regarding the format and implementation timeline. FSSAI's proposal for a phased rollout is seen by some as a way to give the industry adequate time to reformulate their products—that is, to change their recipes to reduce sugar, salt, and fat levels to avoid the mandatory warnings.
What This Means for Indian Consumers
Ultimately, this regulatory shift is about giving you, the consumer, more power to make informed choices. The goal of a clear, front-of-pack warning is to cut through marketing jargon like “natural” or “multigrain” that can make an unhealthy product seem good for you. If implemented, these labels could make it much simpler to spot foods that are high in ingredients linked to long-term health problems. While the mere presence of a label can positively influence consumer perception, the effectiveness depends on the design. The Supreme Court is set to hear more on the matter on September 28, 2026, and its decisions will be crucial in shaping the final regulations that will appear on supermarket shelves across the country.
