The Supreme Court has raised several questions over the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s proposal to introduce red hexagonal warning labels on packaged foods containing high levels of sugar, salt and saturated fat.
A Bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K. Vinod Chandran sought clarifications from FSSAI on the proposed warning-label framework and gave the regulator 10 days to respond. The matter will next be heard on September 28.
Why the Court Raised Concerns
FSSAI’s proposal currently envisages a two-phase rollout.
The first phase would cover products containing high levels of at least two specified nutrients, along with certain sweetened beverages. The second phase would extend the warnings to products exceeding the threshold for any one of the nutrients.
The Court questioned why the second phase should be delayed when excessive sugar, salt or saturated fat could independently pose health concerns.
It also sought a clear timeline between the two phases, warning against a situation where the second stage could be postponed indefinitely.
Questions Over the Red Hexagon Design
The Bench also examined the proposed design of the warnings.
Among the issues raised were:
- What should be the size and exact placement of the hexagonal warning?
- Could the red colour be confused with the red symbol commonly associated with non-vegetarian food?
- Should individual warnings be used for sugar, salt and fat rather than a composite label?
- Would text-only warnings effectively communicate the risks to consumers with different literacy and language levels?
The Court suggested that pictorial elements could be considered alongside written warnings.
Court Seeks Clarity on Nutritional Thresholds
The Bench also asked FSSAI to explain the proposed thresholds based on the ICMR-NIN Dietary Guidelines 2024 and sought clarity on how different categories of processed foods and specified sweetened beverages would be treated.
Another concern was whether manufacturers, while reducing sugar, salt or fat, might compensate by increasing the use of artificial preservatives or emulsifiers.
The Court also asked whether the proposed warnings would be mandatory immediately or whether manufacturers would receive a limited voluntary compliance period.
Focus on Children’s Nutritional Awareness
The Supreme Court further asked the Union government to explain measures being taken to improve nutritional literacy among schoolchildren, including through educational curricula and awareness programmes.
The case arose from a public interest litigation seeking clearer warnings on packaged foods containing high levels of sugar, salt and fat.
The Court has directed FSSAI to revisit its proposal and respond to the concerns before the next hearing.
Case: 3S And Our Health Society v. Union of India & Anr.
Bench: Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K. Vinod Chandran
Next hearing: September 28, 2026
Supreme Court, FSSAI, food warning labels, packaged food, high sugar, high salt, saturated fat, food safety, nutrition, red hexagon label, ICMR NIN, consumer health, India legal news
