SC Orders deadline for packaged food labels

In a decisive move to improve food transparency and tackle rising lifestyle diseases, the Supreme Court of India has given the central government a strict three-month window to finalise and enforce enhanced food labelling regulations. The directive came during a hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking clear front-of-pack labels for packaged foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fats—key contributors to non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

A bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan delivered the order while hearing the PIL filed by public health organizations 3S and Our Health Society. The petition, represented by advocate Rajiv Shankar Dvivedi, urged the government to implement more prominent nutritional labels on processed food items to better inform consumer choices.

During the proceedings, the gravity of the issue was emphasized by Justice Pardiwala, and the lack of transparency in food packaging—especially in products aimed at younger consumers—was highlighted.

Responding to the court's concerns, the Centre confirmed that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is already reviewing amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. The government noted that the FSSAI had received over 14,000 public comments on its proposed draft and formed an expert committee to assess the feedback.

Though the Supreme Court has formally disposed of the PIL, it issued a clear directive mandating that the government finalize the new regulations within three months. “We dispose of this writ petition with the direction to the expert committee to give its recommendations expeditiously within three months,” Justice Pardiwala ordered.

What Will Change?

Under the proposed changes approved in draft form by FSSAI in June 2024, all packaged food products will be required to display critical nutritional information—total sugar, salt, saturated fat, and their respective percentage contributions to the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)—in bold and visible font on the front of packaging.

These updates will revise Regulation 2(v) and 5(3) of the current FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. The aim is to make it easier for consumers, regardless of literacy levels, to assess the health implications of the food they purchase. In its affidavit, the government stated that the new labelling guidelines are intended to "empower consumers to make healthier choices" and support nationwide efforts to curb the growing burden of NCDs.

Why It Matters

India is facing a significant public health crisis driven by the rising consumption of ultra-processed foods. Items such as instant noodles, chips, sugary beverages, and other convenience snacks are often marketed aggressively, especially toward children, while providing little to no clear nutritional information on their packaging.

NCDs—such as obesity, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases—are increasingly being linked to poor dietary choices and now account for over six million deaths annually in India. Diabetes alone has reached epidemic levels, affecting nearly 25% of the population.

Public health experts argue that mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FoPWL) could serve as a vital tool in combating these trends. By placing clear and easily readable warnings on the front of food packaging, the hope is to nudge consumers toward healthier decisions.

If implemented, India would join a growing list of countries—including Chile, Mexico, and Brazil—that have adopted similar labelling systems in a bid to reduce lifestyle-related illnesses through informed consumer awareness.

The Supreme Court's directive marks a pivotal step toward nutritional transparency and public health accountability, sending a strong signal to the food industry and policy makers alike.