SC Pushes FSSAI on "High" Sugar/Salt Food Labels! ⚖️🍟

The Supreme Court is taking a strong stand on public health, directly questioning the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) about its proposed front-of-pack (FOP) warning labels for packaged foods. The court emphasized that food safety is a matter of "national interest," highlighting the critical need for transparent information on what we consume.

Last month, the FSSAI put forward a plan for prominent red hexagonal warning labels on packaged foods found to be high in added fat, added sugar, or salt. This move came after the top court had previously pressed the FSSAI on its reluctance to introduce such warnings.

The FSSAI stated in an affidavit that these labels would appear on products high in two or more of these "nutrients of concern," with thresholds based on the Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024, issued by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN).

However, a Bench of Justices J.B.

Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran, while reviewing the FSSAI's affidavit, raised a crucial question: How exactly will the regulator determine the threshold for a packaged food to be classified as "high" in sugar, salt, or fat?

"If you ask them to put a label, say high in salt, high in sugar, high in sodium, high in potassium, how will you determine it?

Have you laid down any guidelines?" the Bench asked.

Additional Solicitor General Brijender Chahar, representing both the Centre and the FSSAI, responded by stating that the regulator is adhering to the guidelines provided by the ICMR-NIN. The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by non-profit organizations 3S and Our Health, which are advocating for clear warning labels on packaged foods to indicate high levels of salt, sugar, and saturated fats.

The Supreme Court indicated that it plans to issue a detailed order soon, seeking further information from all stakeholders involved.

This ongoing scrutiny underscores the judiciary's commitment to ensuring that consumers are well-informed about the nutritional content of their food, ultimately aiming to safeguard public health against the risks associated with excessive consumption of unhealthy ingredients.

The conversation around these labels is expected to continue as authorities work towards a robust and clear system for food labeling.

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