Junk foods will soon have labels warning of high salt, sugar and fat
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has informed the Supreme Court that it will implement red-colored hexagonal warning labels on junk food packaging. These labels will highlight high levels of salt, sugar, and fat to help consumers make healthier choices.
Why it matters
This regulatory change aims to combat rising rates of childhood obesity and improve public health transparency in the food industry.
NEW DELHI: Junk foods will soon carry warning labels highlighting high levels of salt, sugar and fat, with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) telling Supreme Court on Friday that it has agreed to red-coloured hexagonal warnings on the front of food packages to help consumers identify products high in specified nutrients of concern.FSSAI conveyed its position through a compliance affidavit filed before Supreme Court in response to the court's Aug 13 order on front-of-pack labelling (FoPL).The move comes after the court pushed Centre to act on the issue, saying, "If the Union does it on its own, well and good, otherwise we shall proceed to pass further directions."Under the framework, products high in specified nutrients would carry prominent red hexagonal warnings reading "HIGH FAT", "HIGH SALT" and/or "HIGH SUGAR", as applicable.FSSAI has agreed to exempt single-ingredient foods such as ghee, edible oil, salt, sugar, jaggery and…
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