SC questions FSSAI over its proposed timeline for implementation of front-of-package labelling

On Monday, the Supreme Court questioned the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) over its timeline for implementing front-of-package labeling on packaged foods. The court inquired why FSSAI needed so much time when the matter pertains to citizens' health. The bench of Justices J. B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran reiterated their appreciation for FSSAI's efforts so far but emphasized that significant work remains to achieve their goals.

The court asked why FSSAI sought a one-year voluntary compliance period and why it wanted to restart the hearing process after initiating it in 2022. The FSSAI counsel explained that their 2022 Indian Nutrition Rating (INR) star-rating system was different from the new approach, which is to adopt a red hexagonal warning label for foods high in nutrients of concern like sugar, fat, and salt.

The regulator informed the court that it would take around four months to finalize the draft regulations, which would be published for public comment for 60 days. The court also asked FSSAI to provide more clarity on the planned labels for nutrients of concern, fat, sugar, and salt. The public charitable trust 3S and Our Health Society had sought directions to the government to implement mandatory front-of-package labeling on packaged foods.

The FSSAI proposed a two-phased implementation of front-of-package labeling, with a prominent warning label in red for high-saturated fat, added sugar, and salt-containing products. The regulator argued that this approach would provide consumers with a simple and easily comprehensible warning about unhealthy food choices while giving manufacturers time to reformulate their products.