Supreme Court questions FSSAI on ‘high sugar, salt, fat’ warning labels

The Supreme Court questioned the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on the proposed front-of-pack warning-label system for packaged foods high in sugar, salt, and fat. The bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran sought clarification on determining quantitative thresholds for labeling products as "high in" specific nutrients.

The court emphasized the importance of the matter due to its public-health implications, particularly for children. FSSAI proposed a two-phase system, with red-hexagonal warnings for products high in at least two specified nutrients in the first phase and one nutrient in the second phase. The petitioner, 3S and Our Health Society, argued that each nutrient could independently pose health risks and that products excessively high in only sugar, salt, or fat should carry warnings immediately.

The court directed both parties to study its order carefully and provide any further information sought. The matter was listed for further hearing on 28 September.