1 hr ago
India Proposes Front-Pack Warnings for High Sugar, Fat, Salt
India’s food regulator wants packaged foods to carry clear warnings on the front of their packets.
The warnings would identify products high in sugar, saturated fat or salt.
The labels would be red and shaped like hexagons.
A product would generally need to be high in at least two listed nutrients to receive a warning.
The label could say “HIGH SUGAR,” “HIGH FAT” or “HIGH SALT.”
Some single-ingredient foods, including sugar and salt, would not need these warnings.
The Supreme Court is reviewing the proposal after a public-interest case.
The court also said the shape might confuse people with the symbol used for non-vegetarian products.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India proposed front-of-pack warnings for packaged foods high in sugar, saturated fat or salt.
The proposed warning would use a prominent red hexagonal label displaying declarations such as “HIGH FAT,” “HIGH SUGAR” or “HIGH SALT.”
Products high in any two or more specified nutrients would qualify under thresholds from the Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024.
Single-ingredient products such as ghee, edible oil, salt, sugar, jaggery and honey would be exempted.
The Supreme Court recorded the affidavit and suggested modifying the red hexagon because consumers could confuse it with a non-vegetarian symbol.
- Who
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the Supreme Court bench, the Centre and NGO 3S and Our Health.
- What
- The FSSAI proposed mandatory front-of-pack warning labels for certain packaged foods high in sugar, saturated fat or salt.
- Where
- The matter was heard by the Supreme Court of India.
- When
- The FSSAI affidavit was filed on August 28; the Supreme Court listed the matter for further consideration after 10 days.
- Why
- The proposal is intended to help consumers identify products high in specified nutrients; the NGO sought mandatory front-of-pack labelling through a public-interest litigation.
Front-of-Pack Warning Advocates
Implementation Concerns
Mandatory consumer warnings
Front-of-Pack Warning Advocates
NGO 3S and Our Health filed a public-interest litigation seeking directions for mandatory front-of-pack labelling on packaged food.
Implementation Concerns
The Centre and the FSSAI initially expressed reluctance, saying it would not be possible for India to adopt international standards.
Label design
Front-of-Pack Warning Advocates
A prominent red hexagonal warning could make high-nutrient products easier for consumers to identify.
Implementation Concerns
The Supreme Court warned that consumers might confuse the red hexagon with the symbol for non-vegetarian products and suggested a modification.
Current regulatory position
Front-of-Pack Warning Advocates
The FSSAI has now prepared a proposal covering high sugar, saturated fat and salt, with specified warning declarations.
Implementation Concerns
The proposal remains under the Supreme Court’s consideration, and the court has not yet issued a final decision in the reported proceedings.
Key facts
- Regulator
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
- Proposed label
- A prominent red-coloured hexagonal front-of-pack warning
- Nutrients covered
- Added saturated fat, added sugar and salt
- Qualification threshold
- Products high in any two or more specified nutrients, using thresholds from the Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024
- Possible declarations
- “HIGH FAT,” “HIGH SUGAR,” “HIGH SALT” and/or “HIGHLY SWEETENED BEVERAGE”
- Exemptions
- Single-ingredient products including ghee, edible oil, salt, sugar, jaggery and honey
- Court response
- The Supreme Court suggested modifying the red hexagon because it could be confused with a non-vegetarian symbol
Quotes
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
India’s food safety regulator, which filed the affidavit before the Supreme Court.
“It is proposed to provide a prominent front-of-pack warning label in a red-coloured hexagonal shape for food products which are high in any two or more of the following nutrients of concern, namely added saturated fat, added sugar and salt, based on the thresholds specified under the Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024.”
telegraphindia.com
“The warning label shall indicate the applicable declaration(s) such as ‘HIGH FAT’, ‘HIGH SUGAR’, ‘HIGH SALT’ and/or ‘HIGHLY SWEETENED BEVERAGE’ as the case may be, to enable consumers to readily identify products high in the specified nutrients.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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