SC Urges FSSAI to Consider Front-of-Pack Warning Labels

On February 10, 2026, the Supreme Court urged the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to consider mandating front-of-pack labels on packaged food products.[1] The Court indicated that such labelling could comprise warning labels for high sugar, sodium, or saturated fat, along with a positive front-of-pack logo for healthier products.

The matter arose from a petition filed by 3S and Our Health Society seeking implementation of front-of-package warning labels. The Court had earlier taken note of the draft amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, which proposed the Indian Nutrition Rating (INR)—a star-based system (0.5 to 5 stars) reflecting the overall nutritional profile of packaged foods. The Court also noted the subsequent constitution of an expert committee to review public comments on the draft amendments.

By order dated April 9, 2025, the Court directed the expert committee to submit its recommendations expeditiously.

Last week, the Court examined compliance with its earlier directions. In its affidavit, FSSAI, among other submissions, stated that the expert committee could not pre-emptively assess the feasibility of the INR model and cited a separate 2025 proposal requiring nutrition information to be displayed in bold letters.

Prima facie observing that the exercise undertaken so far had not yielded concrete results, the Court urged FSSAI to consider the petitioner’s suggestion of front-of-pack warning labelling, noting that such measures are internationally prevalent. FSSAI has been directed to respond within four weeks.

[1] 3S and Our Health Society v. Union of India & Anr., MA 1177/2025 in WP(C) 437/2024