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Supreme Court Demands Clarity on Food Warning Labels
12 Sep
Summary
- Court questions FSSAI's phased approach for food warning labels.
- Nutritional education in schools is urged by the Supreme Court.
- Supreme Court seeks details on warning label size and color.
The Supreme Court has placed the Centre on notice regarding nutritional education in schools, aiming to equip children with the knowledge to interpret food labels and make healthier dietary decisions. Simultaneously, the court is scrutinizing the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's (FSSAI) proposal for front-of-pack warning labels (FoPL).
Justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran expressed concern over children's vulnerability to uninformed dietary choices. They are seeking explanations on how schools can integrate nutritional literacy into their curriculum. The court also questioned FSSAI's phased approach for implementing warning labels, citing the potential for indefinite delays in the second phase.
The bench highlighted concerns about the design of the proposed red hexagon warning labels, questioning their size, font, placement, and color. The court noted that Indian consumers associate red with non-vegetarian ingredients and suggested incorporating pictorial representations alongside text for better accessibility. Furthermore, FSSAI must address potential unintended consequences, such as manufacturers increasing artificial additives in response to reduced sugar, salt, and fat content.
Additionally, the court has directed FSSAI to file an affidavit addressing 13 specific questions within 10 days. The case will be heard again on September 28, highlighting the court's commitment to improving public health through clearer food labeling and enhanced nutritional awareness.
