FSSAI proposes red warning labels for high-salt, sugar, fat foods

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a colour-coded front-of-pack labelling system designed to help consumers make healthier dietary choices. Under the proposed framework, packaged food products identified as high in two or more of the key nutrients—fat, sugar, or salt—would carry a prominent red hexagonal warning label.

The initiative comes in response to sustained public pressure and health advocacy for clearer nutritional information on food packaging. Current labelling practices rely heavily on back-of-pack nutritional tables that many consumers overlook or find difficult to interpret. The new system aims to provide at-a-glance warnings about ultra-processed and high-calorie foods that contribute to rising obesity and non-communicable disease rates across India.

The FSSAI disclosed its proposal through a filing submitted to the Supreme Court, indicating the regulator's commitment to strengthening food transparency standards. The red hexagon design represents a standardised approach adopted by several countries to identify products of public health concern, making it instantly recognisable to shoppers.

Implementation timelines and detailed guidelines for the labelling system are expected to follow regulatory consultation processes. The move reflects growing international momentum toward front-of-pack labelling as an effective public health intervention, particularly in combating the rise of diet-related diseases in developing nations.