The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on a suggestion to introduce front-of-pack warning labels on packaged food items containing high levels
of sugar, salt and saturated fat.
A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and V Viswanathan was hearing a public interest litigation filed by charitable trusts 3S and Our Health Society, which have sought directions to the Centre, states and Union territories to implement mandatory Front-of-Pack (FoP) warning labels on packaged foods.
FoP labelling is a simplified nutrition system placed on the front of food packets to help consumers make quick and informed purchasing decisions.
In an affidavit submitted to the court, the FSSAI said it plans to carry out further research and systematically map a representative sample of packaged food products across both solid and liquid categories.
The regulator also informed the court that it intends to conduct consumer surveys to assess how label information is used and to hold wider consultations with stakeholders, including industry players and small and medium enterprises.
However, the bench expressed dissatisfaction with the response, observing that the steps taken so far had not produced any clear outcome. In its order dated February 10, the court noted, “The PIL was filed with a particular purpose. It raised an important issue as regards the right to health of the citizens of this country.”
The bench noted the petitioner’s suggestion that every pre-packaged food product with high levels of harmful ingredients should carry a clear warning on its wrapper through FoP labelling.
The Supreme Court has directed the FSSAI to file its response on the suggestion within four weeks.
(With inputs from PTI)
