The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has proposed prominent red warning labels on the front of packaged foods containing excessive added saturated fat, added sugar or salt, according to a compliance affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court. The proposal is not yet a binding labelling rule.
FSSAI red warning labels would use a hexagonal symbol
Under the proposed system, qualifying products would carry a red hexagonal symbol with declarations such as “HIGH FAT”, “HIGH SUGAR” or “HIGH SALT”. Specified sweetened drinks could display a separate “HIGHLY SWEETENED BEVERAGE” warning.
The nutritional thresholds would be based on the Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024, issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition.
“The warning shall be displayed in a font size one point larger than that used in the nutrition information table.”
— FSSAI compliance affidavit
FSSAI said the front-of-pack format was intended to provide information that consumers could understand easily and to support informed choices, particularly among children and other vulnerable groups.
Warning labels planned in two phases
During the first phase, the red warning would apply to products exceeding the prescribed limits for any two or more of the three specified nutrients. The first phase would also cover designated highly sweetened beverages.
In the second phase, the requirement would be extended to products exceeding the threshold for any one of the nutrients. No confirmed timetable for either phase has been announced.
Single-ingredient products and foods inherently rich in fat, sugar or salt—including ghee, edible oil, salt, sugar, jaggery and honey—are proposed to be exempt, while remaining subject to other food-safety and labelling regulations.
Supreme Court sought a final government decision
The affidavit was filed in response to the Supreme Court’s 13 August direction asking the Union government to place its final decision on front-of-pack warning labels on record. A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran had criticised the prolonged delay and emphasised the potential health impact on children.
The proceedings arose from a petition filed by the public charitable trust 3S and Our Health Society, which sought mandatory front-of-package warnings for packaged foods high in sugar, sodium and saturated fat.
Red warning labels are not yet mandatory
Packaged-food manufacturers are not required to introduce the proposed red labels immediately. FSSAI told the court that the system would have to be notified through amendments to the relevant regulations after completing the prescribed regulatory process.
Until new rules take effect, companies must continue following the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, which require nutritional and ingredient information but do not impose the proposed red front-of-pack warning system.
