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India’s Supreme Court Seeks Warning Labels for Unhealthy Packaged Foods
India’s Supreme Court is considering warning labels on packaged foods that contain too much salt, sugar or fat.
These warnings would appear on the front of packages so people can see them easily.
The court said it is especially worried about children’s health.
India’s food safety authority has suggested red hexagonal labels.
The labels could say “High Fat,” “High Sugar” or “High Salt.”
The first stage would cover foods high in at least two of these nutrients.
A later stage could cover foods high in just one.
The court plans to seek more information before its next hearing on September 28.
The Supreme Court of India wants stakeholders to consider front-of-pack warnings for packaged foods high in salt, sugar and fat.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India proposed red hexagonal labels showing warnings such as “High Fat,” “High Sugar” and “High Salt.”
The proposal would initially cover products high in at least two specified nutrients, with a later phase covering products high in any one.
The court said it is especially concerned about public health and the impact of unhealthy food on growing children.
An intervenor argued that ultra-processed foods need stronger warnings and suggested using a color other than red to avoid confusion with vegetarian labeling.
- Who
- The Supreme Court of India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the public charitable trust 3S and Our Health Society, and lawyers representing the parties.
- What
- The court is considering mandatory front-of-pack warning labels for packaged foods high in salt, sugar and fat.
- Where
- Before the Supreme Court of India.
- When
- The issue was discussed on Thursday; the matter is scheduled for hearing on September 28, following an August 13 court order.
- Why
- The court says clear warnings could protect public health, particularly children, and help consumers make more informed food choices.
Stronger Public-Health Warnings
Phased Regulatory Implementation
How prominent warnings should be
Stronger Public-Health Warnings
The Supreme Court and the petitioner support clear front-of-pack warnings so consumers, especially children and families, can quickly identify products high in concerning nutrients.
Phased Regulatory Implementation
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India proposed introducing the system in phases to support consumer acceptability and give manufacturers time for reformulation.
Which foods should carry warnings
Stronger Public-Health Warnings
An intervenor argued that ultra-processed foods should receive stronger warnings and should not be treated like foods such as eggs or salted cashews.
Phased Regulatory Implementation
The initial Food Safety and Standards Authority of India proposal would cover products high in at least two specified nutrients, with products high in only one added in a later phase.
Warning-label color
Stronger Public-Health Warnings
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India proposed red hexagonal labels because they would be prominent and easy to understand.
Phased Regulatory Implementation
An intervenor suggested using a color other than red because red and green are already used to indicate non-vegetarian and vegetarian products in India.
Key facts
- Proposed label
- A prominent red-colored hexagonal front-of-pack warning.
- Warnings
- Possible declarations include “High Fat,” “High Sugar,” “High Salt” and “Highly Sweetened Beverage.”
- Initial scope
- Products high in at least two specified nutrients, plus specified sweetened beverages.
- Later scope
- A second phase would cover products high in any one of the specified nutrients.
- Nutrient basis
- Thresholds would be based on the Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024, issued by ICMR-NIN.
- Current information
- The court noted that nutrition content is generally displayed on the rear of packages.
- Next hearing
- The matter is posted for September 28.
Quotes
Supreme Court bench
The bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran hearing the petition
“We are only concerned about the health of people, especially growing children. We want all the concerned to consider the cause in national interest.”
firstpost.com
“If the Union does it on its own, well and good. Otherwise, we shall proceed to pass further directions.”
firstpost.com
Sources
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