In India’s battle against obesity, food labels could be one of the most potent weapons

In a landmark move to combat India's obesity epidemic, the Supreme Court has mandated the Union government to introduce front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods, overseen by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The FSSAI is proposing a single-phase system featuring a red hexagon on a white square background to alert consumers about foods high in fat, sugar, or salt (HFSS).

Rising obesity rates, as reported by the National Family Health Survey-6, prompted this action, with obesity among 15-49 year-old men increasing from 23 to 27 percent and among women from 24 to 31 percent between 2019-21 and 2023-24. The monthly per capita expenditure on processed foods has also risen, reflecting the growing influence of the packaged food industry, which is projected to grow significantly in the coming years.

The World Health Organization advocates front-of-pack labeling over traditional back-of-pack nutrition tables, with traffic-light labeling offering a simpler and more effective method for consumers to make healthier choices. However, industry actors are likely to employ various tactics to influence the regulatory landscape, highlighting the complex interplay between commercial interests and public health policy.