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The Supreme Court has given the Centre three months to implement food safety regulations requiring key nutritional information on the labels of packaged food products. During a hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan directed the Centre to finalize amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 within the next three months.
Justice Pardiwala, while addressing the matter, remarked, “Do you have grandchildren? Once the petition order comes, you’ll understand what Kurkure and Maggi are, and how their packaging should look. The current packets lack vital information.”
The case came to the court’s attention after the PIL sought mandatory labeling on food items, particularly advocating for a “Front of Package Warning Label” to inform consumers about the nutritional content. During the hearing, the Centre pointed to an affidavit filed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which revealed that 14,000 comments had been received on the new proposed rules. The FSSAI indicated it had decided to amend the regulations in response.
The court disposed of the PIL with the instruction that the Centre must make its decision regarding the amendments within the three-month timeframe.
In June 2024, the FSSAI approved a proposal that would require the display of nutritional information—such as the total amount of sugar, salt, and saturated fat—in bold letters on packaged food labels. This measure aims to give consumers a clearer understanding of the nutritional value of the products they buy. The amendment, designed to empower consumers, was published in a draft notification open for public feedback and suggestions.
The updated regulations would require the label to include the percentage of each nutritional component (sugar, saturated fat, sodium) in relation to the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA). These changes are part of efforts to help consumers make healthier choices, as well as to combat the rise of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and improve public health.
A government statement explained that the new labeling guidelines are designed not only to help consumers make informed decisions but also to contribute to global efforts in addressing NCDs. The focus on clear and distinguishable labeling is expected to help reduce the prevalence of these diseases.
With the deadline set by the Supreme Court, it is now up to the Centre to finalize these regulations, which could have a significant impact on food packaging across the country.
