From The Economic Times · Indu Bhan · · 1m 20s
FSSAI Proposes Simple Food Labels
India's food safety agency sets one-year label transition for health warnings.
In brief
India's food safety agency sets one-year label transition for health warnings. FSSAI will require food products high in added sugar, fat or salt to display red warning labels by July 2027 after giving industry a year to adjust. Originally reported by The Economic Times.
FSSAI updates food labels
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India plans new front-of-pack nutrition labels for packaged foods.
“The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has toughened its stance on proposed warning labels for packaged foods”
Single-phase implementation
FSSAI will implement warning labels in one phase with a year for industry to adjust.
“FSSAI told the Supreme Court that Food Business Operators will be given a year to comply with upfront labelling”
Label design
Warning labels use a red hexagon on white square background, similar to Canada's system.
“FSSAI proposed a red hexagon with white square shaped background FoPL format”
Nutrient thresholds
Products high in added sugar, fat or salt get red warning labels regardless of processing.
“if a freshly prepared lemon juice contains added sugar or salt above the threshold values”
Threshold values
Added sugar limit: 5% energy from added sugar, not exceeding 10% from total sugar.
“Threshold for sugar has been calculated at 5% energy from added sugar”
Label placement
Warning labels appear prominently on top left of food packaging.
“The proposed warning label would be displayed prominently on the top left of the front of the pack”
Industry transition
Food businesses get one year to update labels before July 2027.
“the intention of the fss act is also to take into consideration that any measure not be restrictive of trade”
Health considerations
Naturally occurring sugars in whole foods are healthier than added sugars.
“naturally occurring sugars in whole foods like fruits and dairy come packed with fibre”
Supreme Court response
FSSAI responds to court request for timeline on food labeling rules.
“FSSAI affidavit has come in response to the supreme court on september 10”
Label impact
Warning labels target sugary drinks and high-salt foods to improve health choices.
“the proposed warning label would have three components- white square shaped background”
Next steps
FSSAI will finalize rules by July 2027 after one-year transition period.
“the food safety regulator said that classifying a food as high in sugar without differentiating”
The short version
FSSAI will require food products high in added sugar, fat or salt to display red warning labels by July 2027 after giving industry a year to adjust.
