The Supreme Court of India has expressed dissatisfaction with the current regulation of food labelling by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and has asked the authority to consider adopting front-of-pack warning labels on packaged food products that contain high levels of sugar, fat and sodium.
What the Court Noted
During a hearing on a petition seeking better consumer awareness about unhealthy food products, the Court observed that the existing system — where nutritional information is placed on the back or side of packs — does little to alert the public to health risks.
The Bench suggested that a prominent front-of-pack label indicating high content of sugar, saturated fats, or salt — similar to systems in some other countries — would help consumers make healthier choices.
It urged FSSAI to consider such regulatory changes “in public interest,” noting the rising burden of non-communicable diseases linked to poor diet, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
Why This Matters
Front-of-pack labelling is widely recognised as an effective tool in informing consumers quickly about the nutritional quality of food at the point of purchase. By recommending this approach, the Supreme Court has reinforced the need for proactive regulatory intervention to protect public health.
The Court did not issue a direct order mandating specific labels, but its strong suggestion places pressure on FSSAI to review existing labelling frameworks and explore reforms to improve transparency and consumer safety in the food market.
