Archive · 29 Aug 2026
FSSAI Proposes Red Front-Pack Warnings For Unhealthy Foods
India’s food regulator wants some packaged foods to carry big red warnings on the front.
The warnings would say if a food is high in fat, sugar or salt.
Some very sweet drinks could also get a warning.
The red hexagon is designed to make the information easy to see.
At first, products high in two or more nutrients would receive the label.
Later, products high in just one nutrient could be included.
Foods such as cooking oil, salt, sugar, jaggery and honey may be exempt.
The proposal followed pressure from the Supreme Court and health activists, while some large food companies oppose the plan because they expect it could hurt sales.
FSSAI proposed mandatory red hexagonal front-of-pack warnings for packaged foods high in added fat, sugar or salt.
Labels could state “HIGH FAT,” “HIGH SUGAR,” “HIGH SALT” and/or “HIGHLY SWEETENED BEVERAGE.”
The warning would be one point larger than the back-of-pack nutrition information text.
Phase one would cover products high in at least two specified nutrients, while phase two would include products high in any one.
Single-ingredient foods and inherently high-fat, high-sugar or high-salt products such as oil, salt, sugar, jaggery and honey could be exempt.
- Who
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India proposed the labels in response to Supreme Court scrutiny and a petition by 3S and Our Health Society.
- What
- A proposed front-of-pack warning system for packaged foods and beverages high in specified amounts of added fat, sugar or salt.
- When
- FSSAI submitted its compliance affidavit on Friday, August 28, 2026, after the Supreme Court’s August 13 order and a two-week deadline.
- Where
- India, in proceedings before the Supreme Court.
- Why
- To give consumers, particularly children and other vulnerable groups, simple information about products high in nutrients associated in the filings with health risks.
Public-Health Warnings
Industry Concerns And Phased Rollout
Need for mandatory labels
Public-Health Warnings
The Supreme Court and health activists seek clear, prominent warnings so consumers can quickly understand the nutritional risks of packaged foods, especially children.
Industry Concerns And Phased Rollout
FSSAI proposed a phased system to facilitate consumer acceptance and give manufacturers time for reformulation.
Public health versus commercial interests
Public-Health Warnings
The Supreme Court said commercial interests should not override public-health priorities and criticised delays in introducing warning labels.
Industry Concerns And Phased Rollout
Nestlé, PepsiCo and The Coca-Cola Company have opposed the move because it is expected to affect sales.
Scope of the first phase
Public-Health Warnings
The petition seeks mandatory warnings for packaged foods high in fat, sugar and salt.
Industry Concerns And Phased Rollout
FSSAI initially proposed warnings for products high in two or more specified nutrients, expanding them in a second phase to products high in any one nutrient, with specified exemptions.
- Label design
- A prominent red hexagonal warning in pictorial form.
- Possible declarations
- “HIGH FAT,” “HIGH SUGAR,” “HIGH SALT” and/or “HIGHLY SWEETENED BEVERAGE.”
- Label size
- One point larger than the font used in the back-of-pack nutrition information table.
- Phase one
- Products high in two or more specified nutrients, including added fat, added sugar and salt, plus specified sweetened beverages.
- Phase two
- Products high in any one of the specified nutrients.
- Potential exemptions
- Single-ingredient products and inherently high-fat, high-sugar or high-salt foods such as ghee, edible oil, salt, sugar, jaggery and honey.
- Nutrient thresholds
- Thresholds would be based on the Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024, issued by ICMR-NIN.
Sources
FSSAI proposes to roll out front-of-pack red warning on food, drinks high on sugar, salt, or fat
Fat, Sugar, Salt Warnings In Red Boxes: Regulator's Latest Weapon Against Unhealthy Foods
FSSAI Proposes Red Front-Pack Warnings For Foods High In Fat, Sugar And Salt
After earful from SC, FSSAI proposes front-of-pack labels for packaged foods with added sugar, fat, salt