New Delhi | In a significant move aimed at improving public health and consumer awareness, the Supreme Court has directed the Central government to finalise and implement revised food labelling regulations within three months. The decision comes amidst growing concerns over the lack of transparency in packaged food labelling and its impact on lifestyle-related diseases.
Apex Court Criticises Missing Information on Food Wrappers
While hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) demanding clearer food labelling, a bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan expressed strong concern over the absence of key nutritional information on packaged foods.
“You all have grandchildren? Let the order on the petition come. You will know what Kurkure and Maggi are and how their wrappers should be. The packets have no information,” Justice Pardiwala remarked, underlining the lack of transparency in food packaging.
The PIL called for mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FoPWL) on food products high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat—ingredients closely associated with rising cases of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease in India.
Government Response and Draft Rules
The Centre informed the court that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has already initiated the process of revising the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. The FSSAI received over 14,000 public comments on the draft proposal released in June 2024.
The new labelling norms aim to empower consumers by requiring manufacturers to:
- Display total sugar, saturated fat, and sodium content on the front of food packets.
- Include the percentage of Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for each of these nutrients.
- Highlight this data in bold, prominent font for easy visibility.
According to the government’s affidavit, this move is intended to promote healthier choices and curb the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across the country.
Why Clear Labelling Is Important
India is witnessing an alarming surge in consumption of ultra-processed foods, particularly among children. Packaged snacks like chips, instant noodles, and sugary beverages often fail to provide clear nutritional information, leaving consumers unaware of their health risks.
Public health experts have long advocated for strong front-of-pack labelling to warn consumers about high levels of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. These ingredients are known contributors to hypertension, obesity, and Type 2 diabetes, which are becoming increasingly prevalent in both urban and rural areas.
What Happens Next?
Although the Supreme Court disposed of the PIL, it issued a firm directive to the Centre to finalise and implement the revised food labelling regulations within three months. Once notified, the rules will amend Regulation 2(v) and 5(3) of the existing labelling framework, marking a major policy shift in consumer protection and public health.
With this intervention from the judiciary, India moves a step closer toward more transparent food packaging—giving consumers the information they need to make healthier decisions.
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