FSSAI open to stricter front-of-pack food warning rules

MUMBAI: The writing may be on the packet for packaged food makers, with India’s food regulator signalling it could tighten proposed front-of-pack warning rules after the Supreme Court questioned why stronger safeguards could not come from day one.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) told the Supreme Court it was open to immediately adopting a stricter approach for red hexagonal warnings on packaged foods, including placing a warning when a product exceeds the prescribed limit for even one of three nutrients added sugar, salt or saturated fat.

The regulator had earlier proposed a two-stage rollout. Under the first phase, products would carry a warning only if they crossed prescribed limits for at least two of the three nutrients, with a stricter requirement to follow in a subsequent phase.

That phased approach came under scrutiny during Thursday’s hearing, with the court questioning why consumers should have to wait for stronger safeguards. FSSAI indicated that it could apply the stricter requirement immediately.

The front-of-pack labelling issue has been before the Supreme Court for several years, with FSSAI facing repeated scrutiny over how warnings for foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat should be designed and implemented.

In August, the Supreme Court questioned the regulator’s handling of the issue and pushed for a visual warning system. FSSAI subsequently proposed red hexagonal warnings as the front-of-pack format.

A bench led by Justice JB Pardiwala said public health was at the heart of the matter, with particular concern over children.

“We are concerned about the health of people, especially growing children,” the bench said, adding that everyone should come forward on an issue it described as being in the national interest.

The court has asked all parties to examine the order due to be passed later on Thursday and submit their suggestions by September 28, when the matter will be heard next.

For consumers, the potential shift could make the front of a food packet do more than display branding and nutrition information. If the stricter approach is adopted, a single red flag for excess sugar, salt or saturated fat could become enough to put the warning front and centre.