India proposes warning labels for high-sugar and high-fat packaged foods

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed introducing front-of-pack (FoP) warning labels for packaged foods and drinks high in saturated fat, sugar, or salt. In a filing to the Supreme Court, the regulator suggested using a red hexagonal shape to alert consumers when a product exceeds limits for two or more of these nutrients.

The proposal follows significant pressure from health activists and the Supreme Court, which had previously questioned whether the regulator was yielding to industry influence. The labels are intended to facilitate informed food choices, particularly for children and vulnerable populations, by clearly stating warnings such as ‘HIGH FAT’, ‘HIGH SUGAR’, or ‘HIGH SALT’.

This regulatory shift represents a challenge to major food and beverage companies, including Nestlé, Coca-Cola, and PepsiCo, who have historically opposed such labeling. The move comes amid rising concerns regarding non-communicable diseases like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension linked to the consumption of highly processed foods.