FSSAI agrees to red hexagon warning labels on junk food packages

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has told the Supreme Court that it will introduce red-coloured hexagonal warning labels on the front of packaged junk food to indicate high levels of salt, sugar and fat. The assurance came in a compliance affidavit filed on Friday in response to the court's August 13 order on front-of-pack labelling.

Products high in these nutrients will carry prominent red hexagonal warnings reading 'HIGH FAT', 'HIGH SALT' or 'HIGH SUGAR'. Single-ingredient foods such as ghee, edible oil, salt, sugar, jaggery and honey are exempted. The framework will be rolled out in phases: Phase I covers products high in two or more specified nutrients, while Phase II extends to products high in any one such nutrient.

The court had earlier pushed the government to act on the issue, warning it would pass further directions if the Centre did not move on its own. The case stems from a public interest litigation filed by NGO 3S and Our Health Society. The system is based on nutrient thresholds from the ICMR-NIN Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024.