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Indian Activists Challenge Proposed Food Warning Labels in Supreme Court
India wants packaged foods and drinks to carry red warning labels when they contain too much of certain nutrients.
The nutrients are added sugar, salt, and saturated fat.
Under the current proposal, a product would need high levels of at least two of them to receive a warning.
Health activists say this could let some unhealthy products avoid labels.
They point out that a product high in sugar alone can still increase diabetes risk.
The government says the labeling rules would become stricter in a later phase.
The Supreme Court is considering the dispute.
The court is expected to hear the activists’ complaint on September 10.
Nonprofit 3S And Our Health has challenged India’s proposed food-labeling rules in the Supreme Court.
The proposal requires a red hexagonal warning when at least two of three nutrients exceed limits.
Activists say products high in only sugar, salt, or saturated fat could escape warnings and harm public health.
The government says the system would be introduced in phases, with warnings for each nutrient planned in a second phase.
The complaint will be heard on September 10, while packaged-food companies have warned the rules could affect demand.
- Who
- Nonprofit 3S And Our Health, health activists, the Indian government, and packaged-food industry groups are involved.
- What
- Activists have challenged India’s proposed red warning-label system for packaged food and drinks.
- Where
- The challenge was filed in India’s Supreme Court.
- When
- The complaint is scheduled to be heard on September 10; the articles do not specify the year.
- Why
- Activists say the proposal could exempt harmful products and undermine public health, while the government says stricter rules can be introduced in a later phase.
Health Activists
Government and Industry Concerns
Warning threshold
Health Activists
Activists argue that requiring two nutrients to exceed limits creates an industry-friendly loophole, because products high in only one nutrient could avoid warnings.
Government and Industry Concerns
The government says phased implementation is common globally and that India plans to make the rules stricter by warning about each nutrient in a second phase.
Public-health impact
Health Activists
Activists say a product high in sugar alone can still pose a diabetes risk and that the proposal may disregard public health.
Government and Industry Concerns
The government says the activists’ concerns are unfounded, while industry executives have warned that many packaged products could receive labels and face lower demand.
Key facts
- Proposed label
- A red hexagonal warning label.
- Covered nutrients
- Added sugar, salt, and saturated fat.
- Initial threshold
- At least two of the three nutrients must exceed specified limits.
- Challenging group
- 3S And Our Health, a nonprofit organization.
- Court hearing
- The complaint is scheduled for September 10.
- Obesity projection
- A Lancet study cited 180 million overweight or obese Indian adults in 2021 and projected 450 million by 2050.
- Government position
- Warnings for each concerning nutrient could be introduced in a second phase.
Quotes
Rajiv Shankar Dvivedi
Lawyer representing nonprofit group 3S And Our Health
“A product that is high in sugar alone remains a diabetes risk”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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