A Prolonged Consultation Process
It has been nearly eight years since the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) initially proposed regulations for front-of-pack labelling
(FOPL) of packaged food products back in 2018. Despite numerous rounds of discussions with various stakeholders, including the food industry, the authority has yet to finalize these crucial guidelines. In a recent affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, the FSSAI requested an additional six weeks to present a proposal concerning the labelling of packaged foods that are high in fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS). These types of foods are increasingly recognized as contributors to non-communicable diseases. The FSSAI has reported conducting five extensive consultation sessions and has scheduled yet another one for March 19 to discuss the proposed labels, indicating a continued, albeit slow, progression towards a final decision.
Expert Concerns and Court Intervention
Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi), a group comprising independent experts in fields like epidemiology, nutrition, and pediatrics, has voiced significant concerns regarding the protracted consultation period. In a letter addressed to the FSSAI, NAPi highlighted that the matter of front-of-pack labelling has already undergone substantial consultations and technical reviews over several years. They urged the FSSAI to move forward with framing the regulation based on the existing evidence and previous deliberations, rather than initiating further stakeholder discussions. This sentiment is echoed by the Supreme Court, which in a February 10 order pointed out that the exercises undertaken so far had not yielded positive results, emphasizing the importance of the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed to protect citizens' right to health.
Industry vs. Consumer Preferences
The history of FOPL discussions reveals a significant divergence in preferences between industry associations and consumer organizations. A consultation held in February 2022 saw all 17 industry associations voting in favor of a star-rating system for labelling. Conversely, all consumer organizations advocated strongly for warning labels on food products. Following this, an amended draft of the Food Safety and Standards (Labeling and Display) Regulations 2020 was released for public comment, attracting over 14,000 submissions. An expert committee was formed to analyze these comments, and further consultations with food business operators and other stakeholders were conducted across multiple cities in May 2025. Despite these efforts, the food industry submitted 430 representations in October 2025, raising serious concerns about the draft notification.
The Public Health Imperative
The persistent delays in implementing front-of-pack labelling raise critical questions about the timeline for introducing regulations that are vital for public health. Dr. Arun Gupta, a member of NAPi, pointed out that the regulatory process began as early as 2014 with initial guidelines that included FOPL. He questioned the extended timeframe required to enact a regulation designed to protect public health interests, especially in light of mounting evidence linking packaged foods high in fat, salt, and sugar to a rising incidence of non-communicable diseases and obesity, even among children. The parliamentary committee's report on food labelling regulation in December 2025 also highlighted these ongoing deliberations after hearing from various industry associations and other stakeholders.
