2 hrs ago
Supreme Court Seeks Timeline for FSSAI Food Warning Labels
The Supreme Court wants food packages to clearly warn people about high levels of fat, sugar or salt.
The warnings would appear on the front of packages inside a red hexagon.
FSSAI has suggested introducing the system in two phases.
In the first phase, warnings would apply when a product is high in at least two nutrients.
Highly Sweetened Beverages would also receive warnings in that phase.
In the second phase, a warning could apply when a product is high in just one nutrient.
The court asked FSSAI to create a clear, science-based schedule for the second phase.
It said the plan might be delayed indefinitely without a firm timeline.
The Supreme Court directed FSSAI to establish a scientifically justified timeline for the second phase of Front-of-Package Labelling.
The labels would warn consumers when packaged foods are high in fat, sugar or salt.
FSSAI proposed a two-phase plan featuring a red hexagonal warning on the front of packages.
Phase I would cover products high in at least two specified nutrients and Highly Sweetened Beverages.
The court questioned how the logo’s size would be determined and warned implementation could otherwise be postponed indefinitely.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
- What
- The court directed FSSAI to set a scientifically justified and clearly defined timeline for the second phase of front-of-package warning labels.
- Where
- On the front of packaged-food products in India.
- When
- Thursday; the articles do not provide a calendar date.
- Why
- To help ensure the warning-label system is implemented and is not indefinitely postponed.
Key facts
- Regulator
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
- Label format
- A red hexagon on the front of the package
- Nutrients covered
- Fat, sugar and salt
- Phase I
- Products high in at least two specified nutrients, plus Highly Sweetened Beverages
- Phase II
- Products with a high proportion of even one specified nutrient
- Court’s request
- A scientifically justified and clearly defined timeline for Phase II
- Logo issue
- The court asked whether the logo size would be relative to the package’s front area or standardized
Quotes
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court bench hearing the FSSAI food-labeling matter
“intends to fix the size of the logo relative to the area of the front of the package or make it standardised.””
indianexpress.com
Sources
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