2 weeks ago
Supreme Court Directs FSSAI to Implement Front-of-Package Food Labels
The Supreme Court in India told the government's food safety agency, FSSAI, to put clear labels on packaged food.
These labels would show if food has too much sugar, salt, or oil.
The court said if the agency does not act within two weeks, the court will order it to do so.
This comes after two years of arguments about the issue.
The government has been slow because many traditional Indian foods have a lot of sugar, salt, and oil.
Earlier, a government institute tried to put oil and sugar boards in places, but people were upset.
Many small food sellers worried they would lose their jobs.
Most packaged foods are sold near schools, and many school children are overweight.
The court wants people to make healthy choices, but the government worries about other problems too.
The Supreme Court directed FSSAI to implement front-of-package labelling (FOPL) on pre-packaged food products.
The court said it will pass necessary orders mandating FOPL if FSSAI does not act within two weeks.
The direction could bring two-year-long litigation on the issue to a conclusion.
The Central government has been hesitant because traditional Indian foods tend to contain excessive sugar, salt and oil.
Nearly 80% of packaged food products are available near schools, and up to 10% of school-age children are overweight.
- Who
- The Supreme Court of India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and the Central government.
- What
- The Supreme Court directed FSSAI to implement front-of-package labelling (FOPL) on pre-packaged food products, warning it will pass necessary orders if FSSAI does not act within two weeks.
- Where
- India.
- When
- The deadline is within two weeks of the court's direction; the issue involves two-year-long litigation.
- Why
- To help people make informed decisions about unhealthy food, as nearly 80% of packaged foods are sold near schools and up to 10% of school-age children are overweight.
Pro-regulation / Court's position
Government's hesitation
Front-of-package labelling
Pro-regulation / Court's position
FOPL is a standard adopted internationally and must be implemented to guide people in making informed choices; inaction over dangerous food consumption is not expected of a responsible government.
Government's hesitation
The government has not been forthcoming because traditional Indian foods tend to contain excessive sugar, salt and oil, and implementing FOPL could affect its electoral prospects.
Oil and sugar board initiative
Pro-regulation / Court's position
The NIN initiative was intended to help people make informed decisions about unhealthy foods like samosa and jalebi.
Government's hesitation
The initiative caused an uproar because mandatory boards could affect the livelihoods of lakhs of informal food vendors.
Key facts
- Regulator
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
- Measure
- Front-of-package labelling (FOPL) on pre-packaged foods
- Deadline
- Two weeks, or the Supreme Court will pass necessary orders
- Litigation
- Two years
- Packaged food near schools
- Nearly 80%
- Overweight school-age children
- Up to 10%
- Earlier initiative
- Oil and sugar boards by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN)
Sources
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