SC pulls up FSSAI, Centre over delay in food warning labels

The Story in Brief

The Supreme Court on Thursday sharply criticised the Centre and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for failing to introduce mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat. A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran warned it would issue further directions if the government did not act, and questioned whether the government wanted citizens to remain healthy, especially children. The court was hearing a public interest litigation highlighting that non-communicable diseases now cause over 6 million deaths each year in India.

Additional Solicitor General Brijender Chahar argued that strict labels could force traditional items like namkeen to carry red warnings, and that international standards may not fit Indian dietary habits. The court rejected this, saying commercial interests cannot trump public health and that consumers have the right to make informed choices. The government has been given two weeks to finalise its decision.