SC pushes FSSAI to put health over multinational interests, orders front-of-pack food labels

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sent a clear message to the Centre and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), saying citizens’ health comes first, not the convenience of multinational companies.

A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan directed the authorities to fast-track the implementation of Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL) on processed foods. These labels will display clear, front-facing symbols revealing sugar, salt, saturated fat, and calorie content, helping consumers make healthier choices at a glance.

The court expressed frustration over FSSAI’s request for more time, noting that delaying action could force judicial intervention. “You should not be concerned about multinational companies but about the right to health of citizens of the country,” the bench said, granting three weeks to complete the research.


The push follows the court’s April 2025 directive, which asked an expert committee appointed by the Centre to recommend changes to labeling rules for packaged foods. In response, the Union government noted that FSSAI had received 14,000 public comments on the proposed rules, prompting amendments to the regulations.

FSSAI had initially approved, back in 2014, a proposal to display nutritional information—including sugar, salt, and saturated fat—in bold lettering and prominent font size on packaged food. The authority had highlighted that such labeling would not only empower consumers to make healthier choices but also support nationwide efforts to combat non-communicable diseases and improve public well-being.

With the Supreme Court now putting the pedal to the metal, India’s packaged food landscape could soon see more transparent labels, giving shoppers a clearer picture of what’s inside every packet.