SC questions FSSAI on proposed timeline for implementation of front-of-pack labelling

Justices JB Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran said why FSSAI wants to waste so much time when the matter is related to health problems of citizens. Photo: Special arrangement

The Supreme Court on Monday (September 28, 2026) questioned the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) over its proposed timeline for introducing front-of-pack labeling of packaged foods and asked why it wanted to waste so much time when the issue concerned the health of citizens.

Front-of-pack labeling (FoPL) is a nutritional information graphic on food packaging that can help consumers make informed food purchasing decisions and eat healthier.

Justices JB Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran said why FSSAI wants to waste so much time when the matter is related to health problems of citizens.

“We appreciate everything you have done so far and we appreciate your initiative, but a lot needs to be done to achieve a meaningful effect of what we want to achieve and where we want to go. We are undertaking this entire exercise for the good of the nation and for the good of the citizens. We expect the authority to accept our order in its true spirit.”

“Why voluntary compliance for a year? Why do you need so much time? Why do you want to start the application of hearing and call for objections again? You started in 2022. What have you been doing for the last four years,” the bench observed while reserving order on the matter.

Counsel for FSSAI told the court that what was launched in 2022 was the Indian Nutrition Rating (INR) system in 2022 and the scale was completely different then.

The FSSAI has now proposed to adopt a red hexagon warning label for packaged food products high in nutrients of concern such as sugar, fat and salt and would use a red hexagon on a white square background on the front of the food package.

The food regulator told the apex court that it would take around four months to issue and finalize the draft regulations.

It told the Supreme Court that the draft amending regulations would be published for 60 days to invite comments from stakeholders through national consultations and the WTO platform.

FSSAI has further proposed a 365-day voluntary implementation period for food business operators after notification of regulations.

The Supreme Court had earlier asked the FSSAI, which had proposed a phased introduction of front-of-pack labeling (FoPL) on packaged foods, to submit further clarification on the planned labeling of ‘nutrients of concern’, fat, sugar and salt.

The Supreme Court was hearing a plea by a public charity ‘3S and Our Health Society’ seeking directions to the Centre, states and Union Territories to impose mandatory FoPL on packaged food.

The FSSAI had earlier told the Supreme Court that it had proposed putting a red warning label on the front of the package for food products high in saturated fat, added sugar and salt.

In a compliance affidavit filed last month, FSSAI said the two-phase proposal is to provide consumers with simple, prominent and easy-to-understand warnings on food products that are high in specific nutrients of concern.

The FSSAI affidavit said the FoPL is to be implemented in phases to facilitate both “consumer acceptability” and “allow the industry reasonable time to reformulate”.

Published – 28 Sep 2026 14:26 IST