The Supreme Court has questioned the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) over the proposed timeline for implementing front-of-pack labelling (FoPL) on packaged foods, particularly products high in nutrients such as sugar, fat and salt.
A Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran questioned the need for a prolonged implementation process, including a proposed one-year voluntary compliance period. The Court has reserved its order in the matter.
FSSAI Proposes Red Hexagonal Warning
FSSAI has proposed a red hexagonal warning label for packaged food products exceeding specified thresholds for nutrients of concern. The proposed label would feature a red hexagon against a white square-shaped background on the front of the package.
The regulator has said the proposed system is intended to provide consumers with a simple and prominent warning about products high in specified nutrients, including added saturated fat, added sugar and salt.
The proposed FoPL framework follows several years of discussion around front-of-pack nutrition information. FSSAI told the Court that the process initiated in 2022 concerned the Indian Nutrition Rating (INR) star-rating system, which used a different approach and yardstick from the current warning-label proposal.
Court Questions Proposed Timeline
FSSAI told the Supreme Court that it would require approximately four months to issue and finalise the draft regulations.
The draft amendment would then be published for 60 days to invite comments from stakeholders through domestic consultation and the WTO platform.
After notification, FSSAI has proposed a 365-day voluntary implementation period for food business operators. It is this extended voluntary phase, among other aspects of the timeline, that the Supreme Court questioned during the hearing.
Implications for Packaged Dairy Products
If the proposed framework proceeds, front-of-pack warnings could have implications for packaged dairy and food companies in areas including product formulation, nutrient thresholds, packaging design, labelling compliance and reformulation planning.
FSSAI has indicated that phased implementation would provide consumers time to adapt while giving food businesses adequate time for reformulation. The final requirements, however, will depend on the regulatory process and the Court’s proceedings.
The Supreme Court proceedings arose from a petition filed by 3S and Our Health Society, which sought mandatory front-of-pack warning labels for packaged foods containing high levels of sugar, salt and fat.
The latest development does not mean that the proposed FoPL system has become final law. With the Supreme Court having reserved its order, the final timeline, regulatory provisions and implementation requirements remain subject to further developments.
For the dairy and packaged-food industry, the next steps will be closely watched because the final framework could affect nutrition labelling, product reformulation and packaging strategies across a wide range of consumer products.
Source: Dairynews7x7 29 Sep, 2026 Read full story here
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