Health experts flag structural loopholes in proposed FSSAI front-of-pack warning labels

Gist The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI has proposed red hexagonal front-of-pack warning labels for packaged foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat, following directions from the Supreme Court . However, public health experts warn that structural loopholes—specifically a rule requiring a product to exceed limits in multiple nutrient categories simultaneously to trigger a warning—will allow many unhealthy foods to bypass scrutiny. For aspirants, this highlights the regulatory friction between enacting public health mandates and defining scientific thresholds for High Fat, Sugar, and Salt HFSS products in India. Background The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI is the statutory body regulating food safety, operating under the purview of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare . India currently mandates back-of-pack nutritional information but lacks a mandatory Front-of-Pack Labeling FOPL system to explicitly warn consumers about unhealthy packaged foods. The FSSAI previously proposed regulations defining High Fat, Sugar, and Salt HFSS foods in a 2022 draft notification , but the process remained stalled until recent intervention by the Supreme Court compelled swift action. Key Pointers…