Why snacks high in fat, sugar, and salt may soon carry red warning labels

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a new initiative to label packaged foods high in salt, sugar, or fat with a red hexagonal front-of-pack warning. This proposal aims to warn consumers about foods that are high in specific nutrients of concern, as outlined in the Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024.

The warning label will be displayed in a font size larger than the nutrition information table on the back of the pack, making it easily noticeable to consumers. The first phase of the proposal will only apply to products with high content of at least two of the specified nutrients, while the second phase will extend the warning to products high in any single nutrient.

Single-ingredient foods and inherently rich foods, such as ghee, edible oil, salt, sugar, jaggery, and honey, will be exempted from the labeling requirement. The proposal is meant to facilitate informed food choices, particularly for children and vulnerable groups, and to address the need for an effective and consumer-friendly front-of-pack labeling mechanism.