SC seeks clear timeline for FSSAI’s food warning label rollout, calls for nutritional literacy in schools

The Supreme Court of India has directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to establish a clear timeline for implementing the second phase of its Front-of-Package Labelling (FoPL) warning system. This system aims to alert consumers about the high levels of fat, sugar, or salt in packaged food items. Without a timeline, the implementation of the FoPL could be delayed or indefinitely postponed.

The court emphasized that the delay cannot be justified by concerns over consumer acceptance or industry reformulation time. The FSSAI had proposed a two-phase plan, with the first phase targeting products high in at least two of the specified nutrients and highly sweetened beverages, and the second phase extending the warning to products with a high proportion of any of these nutrients.

However, the court expressed concern over the lack of a timeline and the absence of a defined period for transitioning between the two phases. It also questioned the size of the FoPL warning label, suggesting that it should be larger relative to the package size and include pictorial representations of the nutrients of concern to ensure accessibility for diverse populations.

The court further inquired about the nutritional literacy curriculum in schools and how students should interpret FoPL information. The Supreme Court will hear the matter again on September 10.