Food Industry Questions Red Colour for Warning Labels

Food companies in India have asked the Supreme Court to reconsider the proposed red colour for front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods. The industry says consumers may confuse the red warning symbol with the existing red mark used to identify non-vegetarian ingredients.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has proposed red hexagon labels to indicate high levels of salt, sugar or fat in packaged products. The All India Food Processors Association said it does not oppose warning labels but wants the colour, symbols and nutritional thresholds to be carefully reconsidered using scientific criteria.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to review the government’s proposal on Monday. India’s proposed limits for added sugar and fat are stricter than those in many other markets, with warnings proposed when added sugar exceeds 3% of solid products by weight or fat exceeds 4.2%.

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