Packaged food labelling has come under renewed judicial scrutiny after the Supreme Court asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to examine mandatory front-of-package warning labels for products high in sugar, salt and saturated fat. The issue is linked to consumer awareness, public health, and the growing burden of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders.
Supreme Court’s Direction
The Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan said the regulator should consider warnings on the front of wrappers and packets of pre-packaged foods. The court noted that such labels are already used in several countries and can help citizens make informed choices. It asked the authority to place its response on record within four weeks.
Public Health and Right to Health
The PIL before the court argued that clear warning labels are necessary because high intake of sugar, salt and unhealthy fats is linked to serious non-communicable diseases. The court observed that the matter concerns the right to health of citizens and has wide public importance. It also expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of regulatory action so far.
FSSAI’s Ongoing Process
FSSAI said it needs wider stakeholder consultation before finalising any rule change. It informed the court that further work will include:
- Mapping representative packaged food samples across solid and liquid categories.
- Conducting consumer surveys on label use and understanding.
- Studying global front-of-pack nutrition labelling trends.
- Consulting industry bodies and MSMEs.
INR Model and Policy Debate
In 2022, FSSAI had proposed the Indian Nutritional Rating system, a star-based model from 0.5 to 5 stars. Critics argue that it does not clearly warn consumers about excessive sugar, salt or saturated fat. Supporters say it offers a balanced view by considering both harmful and beneficial nutrients. The debate now centres on whether India should adopt a warning-based system or retain a composite rating model.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026