Politics · India Bureau
FSSAI to roll out front-of-pack nutrition labels in single phase
India's food regulator has told the Supreme Court it will implement front-of-pack nutrition labelling through a unified rollout rather than phased approach. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has sought four months to issue and finalise draft regulations under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
LSN India ·
The FSSAI informed the Supreme Court that it intends to deploy front-of-pack nutrition labelling across the food industry in a single comprehensive phase, moving away from any staggered implementation timeline. This approach aims to ensure uniform compliance and standardisation across all food manufacturers and packaged food products sold in the Indian market.
The regulator has requested a four-month window to complete the process of issuing and finalising the draft regulations that will govern the new labelling requirements under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. During this period, the FSSAI will develop detailed guidelines specifying the format, content, and placement standards that food manufacturers must follow when displaying nutritional information on product packaging.
Front-of-pack labelling is designed to provide consumers with easily accessible information about the nutritional content of food products, enabling them to make informed dietary choices. The move aligns with global best practices and recommendations from health organisations that advocate for transparent, consumer-friendly nutrition information on food packaging.
The Supreme Court's directive on this matter underscores the judiciary's commitment to public health and consumer protection. Once the draft regulations are finalised and implemented, food manufacturers across India will be required to comply with the new labelling standards within a specified timeframe.