India Proposes Red Warning Labels on Packaged Foods
India’s food regulator FSSAI has proposed red front-of-pack warning labels for packaged foods and beverages high in sugar, salt or saturated fat, reversing its earlier position amid growing public concern over unhealthy food and rising obesity. The proposal was submitted to the Supreme Court on Friday.
Under the proposed system, a red hexagonal warning would appear on products that are high in at least two of the three nutrients. Labels could read “HIGH SUGAR,” “HIGH SALT,” “HIGH FAT” or “HIGHLY SWEETENED BEVERAGE,” helping consumers identify products with potentially unhealthy nutrient levels at a glance.
The move follows pressure from health activists and the Supreme Court, while major food and beverage companies have long opposed mandatory warning labels. FSSAI said the system would be introduced in phases to give manufacturers time to comply, with single-ingredient foods exempted. Currently, packaged foods mainly carry ingredient and nutritional information on the back of the pack.
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