The Supreme Court of India has given the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) a final three-month extension to submit its expert committee’s recommendations on Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labels (FOPNL) for packaged food items.
A bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan passed the order on July 15, allowing more time for FSSAI to complete its report. The Court clearly stated that this will be the last opportunity, and if the deadline is missed again, “appropriate legal steps” will be taken.
Why These Labels Matter
The case was filed by 3S and Our Health Society, who stressed the need for clear food labels that show levels of sugar, salt, and saturated fat. They argued that such labels can help consumers make better dietary choices, fight lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure, and improve overall public health.
What FSSAI Has Done So Far
FSSAI said it had notified a draft amendment to its Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020 on September 13, 2022, and invited public suggestions. More than 14,000 comments came in from food businesses, consumers, and health organizations.
To study all the feedback, an Expert Committee was set up on February 17, 2023. The committee has already met multiple times and prepared its report, which now needs final approval from FSSAI’s Scientific Committee.
What Is the Proposed Indian Nutrition Rating (INR)?
FSSAI's proposal introduces an Indian Nutrition Rating (INR) — a star-based label (from 0.5 to 5 stars) that will be printed on the front of packaged food products. The higher the star rating, the healthier the food.
This system is designed to simplify nutrition info so that shoppers can easily understand whether a product is healthy or not — just by looking at the label.
What Happens Next?
The Supreme Court expects FSSAI to submit the final report within three months, making it easier for authorities to finalize the regulation. If implemented, India will take a big step toward transparent food labelling and healthier consumer choices.