Packaged food products high in sugar, saturated fat or salt could soon carry prominent red warning labels on the front of their packaging under a new proposal from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The food regulator has proposed a red-coloured hexagonal warning symbol that would clearly indicate when a product contains excessive levels of specified nutrients. The proposal was submitted before the Supreme Court as part of ongoing proceedings concerning front-of-pack nutrition labelling.
The move comes after the Supreme Court questioned delays in introducing stronger warning labels on packaged foods and stressed the importance of prioritising public health.
What will the red labels show?
Under the proposed framework, the front of the package could carry warnings such as “HIGH FAT”, “HIGH SUGAR” and “HIGH SALT”. A separate warning, “HIGHLY SWEETENED BEVERAGE”, has also been proposed for certain drinks.
The labels are intended to give consumers information that can be understood quickly, without having to study detailed nutritional tables on the back of a package.
Two-phase implementation planned
FSSAI has proposed introducing the warning system in two phases.
In the first phase, red warnings would apply to products exceeding prescribed levels in two or more specified nutrients — saturated fat, added sugar or salt.
In the second phase, the requirement would be expanded to products exceeding the prescribed limit for even one of these nutrients. The thresholds are proposed to be based on the Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024, issued by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition.
Certain single-ingredient food products, including basic commodities such as oil, salt, sugar, jaggery and honey, have been proposed for exemption from the warning requirement.
Why is FSSAI proposing the change?
FSSAI says the proposed system is designed to provide simple, prominent and easily understandable information to consumers. The regulator has particularly highlighted the need to help children and other vulnerable sections of society make more informed food choices.
The proposal follows growing concerns over obesity and other diet-related health problems in India. Health activists have also been pushing for stronger front-of-pack warnings, arguing that consumers should be able to identify products high in potentially harmful nutrients without relying solely on detailed ingredient lists.
Food industry concerns
The proposed warning system has also faced resistance from sections of the packaged food and beverage industry. Industry representatives have previously argued that front-of-pack warning symbols could be confusing and may not necessarily lead to healthier eating habits.
The debate has intensified after reports that major food companies opposed earlier attempts to introduce stronger interpretive warning labels.
With the Supreme Court closely examining the issue, FSSAI's latest proposal could mark a significant shift in India's approach to nutritional information on packaged foods.
