The FSSAI, for the first time, on Friday in an affidavit in the Supreme Court proposed front-of-pack warning labels for high-fat, sugar, salt foods. The food regulator in India disclosed that the front of pack label would be red-coloured hexagon shape and in a font size one-point larger than what is used in the nutrition information table on the back of the pack. The final call in this regard will be from the Supreme Court.
FSSAI said that the labelling is intended to help consumers identify products with high levels of fat, sugar or salt at a glance, without having to rely solely on detailed nutritional information printed on the back of packages.
The move comes after the FSSAI was pulled up by the Supreme Court and it was when the FSSAI proposed front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods that are high in fat, sugar or salt.
Earlier on August 13, the Supreme Court slammed FSSAI’s reluctance to put warning labels on foods high in sugar, salt, saturated fat despite repeated directions. The apex court asked the food regulation body: “are you bowing to corporate pressure?”
“In this country, how many people can afford DRY FRUITS? And how many children buy KURKURE? That makes all the difference. We are not against any particular product. We only want the person purchasing it to know what he is consuming,” SC asked.
SC Gave FSSAI Two Weeks Time To Place on Record Final Decision
The Supreme Court was hearing a case in which the Court had earlier urged the FSSAI to consider introducing such warning labels in the interest of public health.
“Are you taking the court for a toss?… There is immense pressure at the end of all these corporate houses on you. And you are succumbing to that pressure! We are doing this in public interest. Keep it in mind. We are not doing it for ourselves. Why are you not abiding by our order? What have you done so far? We know the pressure on you. Will you do it on your own or should we pass an order?” the Bench remarked.
