The Supreme Court has asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to consider making mandatory Front of Pack Warning Labels (FOPL) on packaged foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat. The court noted that such regulatory measures are necessary to protect citizens’ right to health.
A Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan ordered the food regulator to record its response within four weeks to a proposal to introduce labeling standards that mandate front-of-pack warnings on packaged foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat – substances widely linked to lifestyle ailments such as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders.
“…we want the authority to take this aspect into consideration. It is suggested that there should be a warning on the wrapper/package of every packaged food product in the form of a label on the front of the pack. FOPL is something that is spread internationally. Let the authority get back to us within four weeks,” the Bench noted in its order dated February 10, 2025.
The Supreme Court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by non-profit organization 3S and Our Health Society, which sought directions on how to mandate FOPL for food products containing high amounts of sugar, salt or unhealthy fats. The court was told that such disclosure would enable consumers to make informed purchasing decisions and help address the alarming increase in deaths related to diabetes and heart disease.
Earlier, in April 2025, the Bench had disposed of a petition directing that an expert committee constituted under FSSAI submit its recommendations within three months on the amendments required to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 to introduce a front-of-pack labeling regime.
After the three-month deadline expired on 9 July 2025, the committee sought an extension from the apex court, saying it was conducting pan-India consultations and required more time to complete the exercise. The Bench granted the request and granted another three months to submit its recommendations.
Comment | Tax “HFSS” foods, consider it a public health imperative
‘Important Issue’
The Bench on February 10, 2025, after perusing the compliance affidavit filed by the regulator, expressed dissatisfaction with the progress made. The bench observed that the exercise conducted so far has not yielded any “positive or good result” despite the petition raising an issue of considerable public importance.
“Prima-facie we are of the view that whatever exercise has been done so far has not yielded any positive or good result. The PIL has been filed for a specific purpose. It has raised an important issue as far as the right to health of the citizens of this country is concerned,” the Bench said.
In its affidavit, FSSAI said that consultation with all stakeholders is necessary before taking a final decision. The court was further informed that, based on the expert commission’s recommendations, the office will conduct further research, including mapping representative samples of packaged food in both solid and liquid categories. It was also informed that consumer surveys will be conducted to assess how label information is used, global trends in front-of-pack nutrition labeling will be reviewed and extensive consultation will take place with major industry associations as well as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
In 2022, FSSAI proposed changes to introduce the Indian Nutrition Rating (INR) system for front-of-pack labelling. This required packaged foods to be rated on a scale of 0.5 to 5 stars, with a higher rating indicating a healthier product.
However, the petitioner argued that the INR model is not universally accepted and does not clearly indicate whether a product contains excessive amounts of sugar, salt or saturated fat. Accordingly, he urged the court to order the authorities to mandate front-of-package warning labels specifically stating the high content of these ingredients so that consumers can make informed dietary choices.
In an affidavit, the center defended the INR model, saying it adopts a composite scoring framework that takes into account both “critical nutrients,” such as added sugars, sodium and saturated fat, and “positive components,” including fiber, protein, and some legumes and nuts.
“This balanced approach helps consumers understand the overall health of a product, rather than focusing only on its negative aspects,” the affidavit said.
Published – 15 Feb 2026 20:11 IST