The Supreme Court on Thursday sharply criticised the Centre and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for failing to decide on introducing front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat.
The court warned that it would issue further directions if the government failed to act.
A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran said the issue directly concerned public health, particularly the well-being of children, and questioned the Union government's reluctance to adopt stronger nutritional warnings despite its earlier directions. "Why? You don't want people of this country to remain healthy? More particularly growing children?"
In response, Chahar argued that strict front-of-pack warnings could result in traditional Indian foods, including namkeen, carrying red warning symbols because of their fat or salt content. He said international nutritional standards may not be directly applicable to Indian dietary habits and pointed out that even two eggs could exceed the permissible daily fat limit.
The judges said consumers already know packaged foods contain sugar and fat, but prominent warning labels would enable them to understand the nutritional risks before making a purchase.
The court rejected the argument that warning labels could hurt manufacturers' businesses, observing that consumers would still be free to decide whether or not to buy a product.
It also questioned FSSAI's reluctance to implement the system and stressed that commercial interests cannot take precedence over public health.
When senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for a manufacturer, sought to intervene, the bench remarked that manufacturers could not dictate policy on an issue involving citizens' health.
Senior advocate Devadutt Kamat suggested that food products could be categorised differently and that nutritional content should also be prominently displayed.
The court clarified that its concern was not with banning any product, but with ensuring informed consumer choice.
"In this country, how many people can afford dry fruits? And how many children buy Kurkure? That makes all the difference. We are not against any particular product. We only want the person purchasing it to know what he is consuming."
Front-of-pack warning labels (FOPWL) are clear nutritional warnings displayed on the front of packaged food products to alert consumers when a product contains high levels of sugar, salt, saturated fat or unhealthy fats.
Unlike detailed nutrition tables printed on the back, these labels are designed to be seen at a glance, helping shoppers quickly identify less healthy products, compare options and make more informed food choices.
The matter arises from a plea seeking mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on packaged food products with high levels of sugar, salt and saturated fat, enabling consumers to identify unhealthy nutritional content more easily.
The issue has also been examined by Parliament's Subordinate Legislation Committee, chaired by Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora, which has advocated studying Singapore's A-to-D Nutri-Grade system for possible adoption in India.
Separately, the Union Health Ministry has proposed installing "sugar and oil boards" in schools, offices and public institutions as behavioural nudges to encourage healthier eating habits and reduce excessive consumption of sugar and oil.
