NEW DELHI: India’s food regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has proposed introducing prominent front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods and beverages that are high in fat, sugar or salt, following growing public concern over the nutritional content of processed foods.

Under the proposed system, products exceeding specified nutritional thresholds could carry a red-coloured hexagonal warning symbol stating “HIGH FAT”, “HIGH SUGAR”, “HIGH SALT” or “HIGHLY SWEETENED BEVERAGE”. The aim is to help consumers identify products with high levels of these nutrients more easily and make informed purchasing decisions.

The proposal comes after increasing public scrutiny over food labelling and amid proceedings in the Supreme Court. FSSAI has suggested implementing the warning-label system in phases, with the initial phase covering products high in two or more specified nutrients, followed by a broader system covering products exceeding the threshold for any one nutrient.

Certain single-ingredient products, including salt, sugar, edible oils, ghee, honey and jaggery, are proposed to be exempt from the warning-label requirements.

The move marks a significant shift in India’s approach to front-of-pack nutrition labelling and comes amid concerns over rising consumption of foods high in salt, sugar and fat. However, the proposal is yet to become a final regulatory requirement, with implementation details and timelines still to be finalised.