- FSSAI proposes mandatory red-hexagon warnings for high sugar, salt, and fat foods
- Labels must be larger than nutritional information on packaged foods and beverages
- Supreme Court directed FSSAI to implement front-of-pack warning labels promptly
In a major regulatory overhaul aimed at consumers, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed mandatory red-hexagon warning labels for packaged foods and sweetened beverages.
According to an affidavit seen exclusively by NDTV Profit, products will soon be required to carry prominent front-of-pack warnings reading ‘HIGH SUGAR', ‘HIGH SALT', or ‘HIGH FAT'. To ensure maximum visibility, the FSSAI has mandated that these warning labels be printed larger than the standard nutritional information text.
The sweeping changes come following direct intervention from the Supreme Court, which is hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by '3S And our Health Society' seeking mandatory front-of-pack warnings. The FSSAI filed the affidavit in compliance with an August 13 court order directing the food regulator to take an "appropriate decision at the earliest" on the matter.
The regulator has proposed implementing the new rules in a phased manner. The first phase will mandate immediate red-hexagon warnings for foods high in fat, sugar, and salt. A subsequent second phase will introduce a wider warning system covering high-nutrient foods.
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While processed and packaged items will face strict scrutiny, the FSSAI has proposed exempting essential single-ingredient staples. Ghee, oil, salt, sugar, jaggery, and honey are all currently slated for exemption from the front-of-pack warnings.
The legal proceedings will continue as stakeholders review the proposal. Speaking to NDTV Profit, Rajiv Shankar Dvivedi, counsel for 3S And our Health Society, confirmed the next steps. "We have received a compliance affidavit filed by FSSAI. We have prepared a revised draft and we have invited comments from the public in general. After getting all the comments, we will file our rejoinder," Dvivedi said.
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