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The Supreme Court has asked the food safety and standards authority of India (FSSAI) to examine whether packaged food products high in sugar, salt and saturated fat should carry mandatory front-of-package warning labels, observing that regulatory steps of this nature are closely linked to citizens’ right to health.
While hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), a bench of justice JB Pardiwala and justice KV Viswanathan directed the food regulator to place on record within four weeks its response on introducing labelling norms that would require prominent warnings on the front of packaged food items containing high levels of these ingredients, which are associated with diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular ailments.
“Prima facie, we are of the view that whatever exercise has been undertaken so far has not yielded any positive or good result. The PIL is filed with a particular purpose. It raised an important issue as regards the right to health of the citizens of this country,” the bench observed.
The court further noted, “....we want the authority to take this aspect into consideration. The suggestion is that on the wrapper or packet of any pre-packaged food product, there must be a warning in the form of front-of-package labelling (FOPL). FOPL is something which is internationally prevalent. Let the authority revert to us within a period of four weeks.”
The direction came while hearing the PIL filed by 3S and Our Health Society which raised concerns over the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in the country and sought mandatory front-of-package labelling for food products with high sugar, salt or unhealthy fat content.
In its plea, the petitioner highlighted what it described as an alarming spread of diabetes across India, attributing a significant portion of the problem to obesity and increased consumption of processed and junk foods. It argued that aggressive marketing of such products, combined with a lack of clear and easily understandable disclosures, has led to higher intake of sugar, sodium and saturated fats among consumers.
“Diabetes has emerged as a silent epidemic in India, affecting millions of individuals and posing a significant burden on our healthcare system....Shockingly, one in four individuals in the country is grappling with diabetes, predominantly attributed to obesity,” the petition stated.
The petitioner maintained that clear warning labels on the front of packaging would enable consumers to make informed choices and reduce the adverse impact of commercial interests. “Front of package labelling-FOPL serves as a powerful tool in empowering consumers to make informed choices about their diet and reducing the adverse impact of commercial interests of big corporates. It enables citizens to easily identify and understand the nutritional content and harmful ingredients present in packaged food and beverages, thereby making healthier choices....”
The Court was told that such labelling could help address not only diabetes but also other non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, obesity and heart-related conditions.
Earlier, in April 2025, the bench had directed an expert committee constituted under FSSAI to submit its recommendations within three months on possible amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, to introduce a FOPL regime. After the initial deadline expired in July 2025, the committee sought additional time citing nationwide consultations, and the court granted a further extension.
In a compliance affidavit filed on 30 January 2026, affirmed by Dr Kavitha Ramasamy, joint director of FSSAI, the regulator informed the apex court that it intends to undertake further research and systematic mapping of representative samples of packaged foods across solid and liquid categories. It also proposed conducting consumer surveys to assess how label information is used, reviewing global trends in front-of-pack nutrition labelling and holding wider consultations with large industry bodies as well as micro, small and medium enterprises.
The bench, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the pace and outcome of the exercise so far, observing that the efforts undertaken had not produced tangible results, despite the public health implications raised in the petition.
The matter also brings into focus FSSAI’s earlier proposal to introduce the Indian nutritional rating system for FOPL, under which packaged foods would be rated on a star scale from 0.5 to 5 based on a composite score.
The petitioner has opposed this model, arguing that it does not clearly warn consumers about excessive levels of sugar, salt or saturated fats.
The Union government has defended the rating framework, stating that it considers both critical nutrients and positive components such as fibre and protein to provide an overall assessment of a product’s health profile. hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), a bench of justice JB Pardiwala and justice KV Viswanathan directed the food regulator to place on record within four weeks its response on introducing labelling norms that would require prominent warnings on the front of packaged food items containing high levels of these ingredients, which are associated with diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular ailments.
“Prima facie, we are of the view that whatever exercise has been undertaken so far has not yielded any positive or good result. The PIL is filed with a particular purpose. It raised an important issue as regards the right to health of the citizens of this country,” the bench observed.
The court further noted, “....we want the authority to take this aspect into consideration. The suggestion is that on the wrapper or packet of any pre-packaged food product, there must be a warning in the form of front-of-package labelling (FOPL). FOPL is something which is internationally prevalent. Let the authority revert to us within a period of four weeks.”
The direction came while hearing the PIL filed by 3S and Our Health Society which raised concerns over the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in the country and sought mandatory front-of-package labelling for food products with high sugar, salt or unhealthy fat content.
In its plea, the petitioner highlighted what it described as an alarming spread of diabetes across India, attributing a significant portion of the problem to obesity and increased consumption of processed and junk foods. It argued that aggressive marketing of such products, combined with a lack of clear and easily understandable disclosures, has led to higher intake of sugar, sodium and saturated fats among consumers.
“Diabetes has emerged as a silent epidemic in India, affecting millions of individuals and posing a significant burden on our healthcare system....Shockingly, one in four individuals in the country is grappling with diabetes, predominantly attributed to obesity,” the petition stated.
The petitioner maintained that clear warning labels on the front of packaging would enable consumers to make informed choices and reduce the adverse impact of commercial interests. “Front of package labelling-FOPL serves as a powerful tool in empowering consumers to make informed choices about their diet and reducing the adverse impact of commercial interests of big corporates. It enables citizens to easily identify and understand the nutritional content and harmful ingredients present in packaged food and beverages, thereby making healthier choices....”
The Court was told that such labelling could help address not only diabetes but also other non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, obesity and heart-related conditions.
Earlier, in April 2025, the bench had directed an expert committee constituted under FSSAI to submit its recommendations within three months on possible amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, to introduce a FOPL regime. After the initial deadline expired in July 2025, the committee sought additional time citing nationwide consultations, and the court granted a further extension.
In a compliance affidavit filed on 30 January 2026, affirmed by Dr Kavitha Ramasamy, joint director of FSSAI, the regulator informed the apex court that it intends to undertake further research and systematic mapping of representative samples of packaged foods across solid and liquid categories. It also proposed conducting consumer surveys to assess how label information is used, reviewing global trends in front-of-pack nutrition labelling and holding wider consultations with large industry bodies as well as micro, small and medium enterprises.
The bench, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the pace and outcome of the exercise so far, observing that the efforts undertaken had not produced tangible results, despite the public health implications raised in the petition.
The matter also brings into focus FSSAI’s earlier proposal to introduce the Indian nutritional rating system for FOPL, under which packaged foods would be rated on a star scale from 0.5 to 5 based on a composite score.
The petitioner has opposed this model, arguing that it does not clearly warn consumers about excessive levels of sugar, salt or saturated fats.
The Union government has defended the rating framework, stating that it considers both critical nutrients and positive components such as fibre and protein to provide an overall assessment of a product’s health profile.
litigation (PIL), a bench of justice JB Pardiwala and justice KV Viswanathan directed the food regulator to place on record within four weeks its response on introducing labelling norms that would require prominent warnings on the front of packaged food items containing high levels of these ingredients, which are associated with diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular ailments.
“Prima facie, we are of the view that whatever exercise has been undertaken so far has not yielded any positive or good result. The PIL is filed with a particular purpose. It raised an important issue as regards the right to health of the citizens of this country,” the bench observed.
The court further noted, “....we want the authority to take this aspect into consideration. The suggestion is that on the wrapper or packet of any pre-packaged food product, there must be a warning in the form of front-of-package labelling (FOPL). FOPL is something which is internationally prevalent. Let the authority revert to us within a period of four weeks.”
The direction came while hearing the PIL filed by 3S and Our Health Society which raised concerns over the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in the country and sought mandatory front-of-package labelling for food products with high sugar, salt or unhealthy fat content.
In its plea, the petitioner highlighted what it described as an alarming spread of diabetes across India, attributing a significant portion of the problem to obesity and increased consumption of processed and junk foods. It argued that aggressive marketing of such products, combined with a lack of clear and easily understandable disclosures, has led to higher intake of sugar, sodium and saturated fats among consumers.
“Diabetes has emerged as a silent epidemic in India, affecting millions of individuals and posing a significant burden on our healthcare system....Shockingly, one in four individuals in the country is grappling with diabetes, predominantly attributed to obesity,” the petition stated.
The petitioner maintained that clear warning labels on the front of packaging would enable consumers to make informed choices and reduce the adverse impact of commercial interests. “Front of package labelling-FOPL serves as a powerful tool in empowering consumers to make informed choices about their diet and reducing the adverse impact of commercial interests of big corporates. It enables citizens to easily identify and understand the nutritional content and harmful ingredients present in packaged food and beverages, thereby making healthier choices....”
The Court was told that such labelling could help address not only diabetes but also other non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, obesity and heart-related conditions.
Earlier, in April 2025, the bench had directed an expert committee constituted under FSSAI to submit its recommendations within three months on possible amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, to introduce a FOPL regime. After the initial deadline expired in July 2025, the committee sought additional time citing nationwide consultations, and the court granted a further extension.
In a compliance affidavit filed on 30 January 2026, affirmed by Dr Kavitha Ramasamy, joint director of FSSAI, the regulator informed the apex court that it intends to undertake further research and systematic mapping of representative samples of packaged foods across solid and liquid categories. It also proposed conducting consumer surveys to assess how label information is used, reviewing global trends in front-of-pack nutrition labelling and holding wider consultations with large industry bodies as well as micro, small and medium enterprises.
The bench, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the pace and outcome of the exercise so far, observing that the efforts undertaken had not produced tangible results, despite the public health implications raised in the petition.
The matter also brings into focus FSSAI’s earlier proposal to introduce the Indian nutritional rating system for FOPL, under which packaged foods would be rated on a star scale from 0.5 to 5 based on a composite score.
The petitioner has opposed this model, arguing that it does not clearly warn consumers about excessive levels of sugar, salt or saturated fats.
The Union government has defended the rating framework, stating that it considers both critical nutrients and positive components such as fibre and protein to provide an overall assessment of a product’s health profile.
