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Food Companies Challenge FSSAI’s Proposed Red Warnings Before Supreme Court
India is considering new warning labels for packaged foods.
The labels would say when food is high in sugar, salt or fat.
They would use red hexagons on the front of packages.
Food companies worry that people may confuse the red color with symbols used for non-vegetarian food.
The Supreme Court has also asked whether red is the best color.
FSSAI is considering putting the labels on the upper-left part of packages.
The regulator may introduce the system all at once instead of in stages.
The rules are not final and must go through a formal process before becoming mandatory.
Food manufacturers have asked the Supreme Court to reconsider red warnings proposed for packaged foods.
The proposed labels would identify products high in sugar, salt or fat with red hexagons.
The All India Food Processors Association said consumers may associate red with non-vegetarian food symbols.
FSSAI has proposed placing the warnings in the upper-left section and may implement them in one phase.
The Supreme Court will hear the matter on September 28, while the system remains under consideration.
- Who
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, food manufacturers, the All India Food Processors Association and the Supreme Court are involved; the petition was filed by 3S and Our Health Society.
- What
- The Supreme Court is considering objections and proposals concerning front-of-pack warning labels for packaged foods high in sugar, salt or fat.
- Where
- The proposed warnings would appear on the front, specifically the upper-left section, of packaged food labels in India.
- When
- The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter on September 28; the association filed its submission on September 24, and the court raised colour concerns in a September 10 order.
- Why
- Food companies say red warnings could be confused with mandatory non-vegetarian food identification marks, while the proposed system is intended to identify products high in sugar, salt or fat.
Food Industry Concerns
FSSAI Proposal
Use of red
Food Industry Concerns
Food manufacturers argue that consumers may connect red warnings with existing non-vegetarian food identification marks.
FSSAI Proposal
FSSAI has proposed red hexagonal warnings, while the Supreme Court has asked whether the colour should be reconsidered.
Implementation approach
Food Industry Concerns
Food companies have objected to aspects including nutrient thresholds and the method used to identify products requiring warnings.
FSSAI Proposal
FSSAI has indicated it is open to implementing the warning system in a single phase rather than through the earlier proposed phased rollout.
Need for warnings
Food Industry Concerns
The industry is seeking reconsideration of the proposed design and has raised concerns about how consumers may interpret it.
FSSAI Proposal
The proposed system would give front-of-pack notices for products exceeding specified limits for sugar, salt or fat.
Key facts
- Proposed warnings
- Red hexagonal labels stating “HIGH SUGAR,” “HIGH SALT” or “HIGH FAT.”
- Proposed placement
- The upper-left section of packaged food labels.
- Court hearing
- The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter on September 28.
- Industry concern
- Food manufacturers say consumers may associate red with the mandatory non-vegetarian identification mark.
- Existing symbols
- Non-vegetarian products use a brown triangle inside a square; vegetarian products use a green circle inside a green square.
- Nutrient guidance
- The proposed limits are linked to the Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024, issued by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition.
- Legal status
- The system remains under consideration and is not yet a mandatory labelling requirement.
Quotes
All India Food Processors Association
Food-processing industry association that filed objections before the Supreme Court
“The average Indian consumer is habituated to associating the colour red with the mandatory non-vegetarian identification mark.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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