The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on a proposal to introduce front-of-pack (FoP) warning labels on packaged food products containing high levels of sugar, salt and saturated fat, observing that the issue directly concerns the right to health of citizens.
A Bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan was hearing a public interest litigation filed by public charitable trust 3S and Our Health Society seeking directions to the Centre, States and Union Territories to implement mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods.
In its affidavit, the FSSAI stated that it proposes to conduct further research, including systematic mapping of a representative sample of packaged food products across solid and liquid categories. It also indicated plans to carry out consumer surveys to assess how label information is used and to undertake wider stakeholder consultations, including with industry and MSMEs.
The Bench, however, expressed dissatisfaction, noting that the exercise undertaken so far had not yielded any concrete outcome.
“The PIL was filed with a particular purpose. It raised an important issue as regards the right to health of the citizens of this country,” the Court observed in its order dated February 10.
The Court recorded the submission of the petitioners’ counsel that pre-packaged food products with high sugar, salt or saturated fat content should carry clear warning labels on the front of the packet.
Front-of-pack labelling is a simplified, evidence-based nutrition labelling system placed on the front of food packages to enable consumers to make quick and informed purchasing decisions.
Taking note of the suggestion, the Supreme Court directed the FSSAI to file its response within four weeks.
The matter will be taken up after the authority places its stand on the feasibility and implementation of front-of-pack warning labels on packaged food products.
