Indian health activists lodge concerns about food warning proposal in court

Indian health activists have lodged their first formal complaint in court against a proposed government plan to implement red warning labels on packaged foods and drinks. The proposal, which requires a product to exceed limits in at least two of three concerning nutrients—added sugar, salt, or saturated fat—to receive a red hexagonal label, has raised concerns among industry lobbyists who claim it creates an "industry-friendly loophole" that would exempt many harmful products.

A nonprofit group, 3S And Our Health, argues that the plan disregards public health and could potentially leave many harmful products unregulated. The government source, however, asserts that the rules will be tightened in a second phase, with warning labels for each concerning nutrient. The Supreme Court is currently hearing the case, with a decision expected on September 10.