Supreme Court Gives Centre 10 Days To Set Path For Packaged Food Warning Labels
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
India’s Supreme Court has directed the Centre to provide a clear pathway for implementing warning labels on packaged food products within 10 days, increasing pressure on the government to introduce stricter front-of-pack labelling rules.
The order came after a health non-profit raised concerns over the implementation of food warning labels amid growing scrutiny of food safety across the country.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had last month proposed a two-phase labelling system. Under the first phase, red-coloured hexagonal warning labels would be placed on packaged products exceeding prescribed limits in at least two of three categories — added sugar, salt and saturated fat.
However, the Supreme Court expressed concern that the second phase could be delayed indefinitely.
“We are afraid that, absent a specific indication, the implementation of Phase II might take a backseat or be indefinitely postponed,” the court said in its order issued late Thursday.
The court further observed that assessing consumer acceptability or providing the food industry additional time for reformulation could not justify uncertainty over the timeline for implementation.
A government source said the FSSAI would examine the court's order but indicated that the regulator was willing to implement both phases together.
Food Labelling Debate Intensifies
The issue has gained national attention amid increased scrutiny of food safety and enforcement action against eateries and food businesses.
The debate intensified after reports that the government had opted for a weaker warning-label regime following lobbying by major food and beverage companies and industry groups. Companies including Coca-Cola, Nestle and PepsiCo have opposed stricter warning labels, arguing that such measures could be confusing and ineffective.
Several companies, however, have voluntarily adopted warning-label measures in European markets.
The food and beverage industry in India has maintained its opposition to the proposed warning labels, describing them as confusing and ineffective.
The Supreme Court's latest direction now requires the Centre to spell out a clear implementation pathway, particularly for the second phase of the proposed warning-label regime.
