As obesity rises, Supreme Court puts govt on notice over junk food labels

Obesity, especially among children, has become a significant health issue in India, with the number of overweight school-going kids and adolescents rising from 2% to 10% between 2000 and 2022. The Supreme Court has warned the central government to address this concern by implementing its order on front-of-pack warning labels for junk food.

The court emphasized that people's health cannot be compromised and expressed disapproval of the government's stance that it is not feasible to meet international standards, as set by developed countries. The bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran questioned whether India should remain an underdeveloped nation in this context.

The order, in response to a public interest litigation filed by NGO '3S and Our HEALTH Society', highlights the link between food safety and the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The court urged the government to display clearer nutrition information on food with high salt, sugar, saturated fat, and calories to help individuals make healthier choices.

According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's ultra-processed food market has grown by over 150% between 2009 and 2023, with obesity reportedly doubling during the same period.