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India may soon see a major change in the way packaged food products display nutrition information. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed prominent red, hexagonal front-of-pack warning labels for packaged foods containing high levels of added sugar, added saturated fat and salt.
The proposal was submitted before the Supreme Court as part of a compliance affidavit and comes after the court raised concerns over delays in introducing clearer nutritional warnings for packaged foods.
Under the proposed Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FoPNL) system, certain packaged food products would carry a clearly visible red warning symbol on the front of the package.
The proposed warnings could include:
The objective is to make nutritional risks easier to understand at a glance, instead of requiring consumers to study detailed nutrition tables printed on the back or side of a package.
The proposed red hexagonal design is intended to provide a simple, prominent, and easily understandable warning, particularly for children and other vulnerable consumers.
The proposed system focuses on products that cross nutrient thresholds based on the Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024, issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN).
FSSAI has proposed a two-stage implementation.
Phase I: Products considered high in two or more specified nutrients—added fat, added sugar and salt—would come under the warning system. Certain specified sweetened beverages would also be covered.
Phase II: The requirement would expand to products that are high in any one of the specified nutrients.
This phased approach is intended to give food manufacturers time to adjust packaging and, where necessary, reformulate products.
The move is linked to growing concerns over the consumption of foods and beverages high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats. Such products are commonly found across packaged snacks, confectionery, processed foods and sweetened beverages.
The proposed labels are designed to help consumers identify products with potentially concerning nutrient levels without having to interpret complicated nutritional information.
The issue has also received increased attention from the Supreme Court. The court had questioned the government's delay in implementing interpretive front-of-pack warnings and expressed particular concern about the impact of unhealthy packaged foods on children.
Not every food product would necessarily receive a warning label.
FSSAI has proposed exemptions for single-ingredient foods and products that are inherently high in fat, sugar or salt. Examples mentioned in the proposal include:
These products would continue to remain subject to other applicable food safety and labelling requirements.
Another important feature of the proposal is the visibility of the warning. FSSAI has proposed that the front-of-pack warning should be displayed prominently, with the font size larger than the nutrition information normally provided on the back of the package.
The idea is straightforward: consumers should be able to understand an important nutritional warning within seconds while shopping.
This could particularly benefit consumers who may not be familiar with terms such as saturated fat, sodium or recommended daily intake.
If implemented, the proposed system could make grocery shopping easier for people who want to reduce their intake of sugar, salt and fat.
For example, instead of turning a packet around and examining its nutritional table, a shopper could immediately see a red warning stating “High Sugar” or “High Salt.”
The change could also encourage manufacturers to reconsider product formulations. Companies may have an incentive to reduce certain nutrients so that their products do not fall within the warning thresholds.
Consumer groups have generally argued that simple warning symbols can make nutrition information more accessible, while the food industry has raised concerns about the need for scientific consultation and practical implementation.
The proposed rules could have a substantial impact on India's packaged food sector. Manufacturers may need to review recipes, nutritional values, packaging designs and marketing strategies if the regulations are eventually notified.
Companies selling snacks, biscuits, confectionery, ready-to-eat foods and sweetened beverages could face greater pressure to reduce excessive levels of sugar, salt or fat.
At the same time, the proposed phased implementation could provide manufacturers with additional time to reformulate products and update packaging.
No. The proposal is not yet a final, fully implemented regulation.
FSSAI has placed the proposed framework before the Supreme Court, but a final regulatory notification and implementation timeline have not yet been announced.
Therefore, consumers should not assume that every packaged food product will immediately carry the new red warning labels.
The proposal represents an important step toward stronger front-of-pack nutrition labelling in India. The next stage will involve the regulatory process required to formally introduce the changes.
If implemented, the system could change how Indian consumers evaluate packaged foods by putting key nutritional warnings directly in front of them.
For consumers, the broader message is simple: check the nutrition information, pay attention to sugar, salt and fat levels, and do not rely only on attractive health claims on food packaging.
The proposed FSSAI warning labels could make that decision easier by bringing important nutritional information from the back of the packet to the front
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