Supreme Court's Directive to FSSAI

The Supreme Court has asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to consider implementing front-of-pack warning labels on foods high in sugar, saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium. This measure aims to enhance public health by guiding consumer choices.

Obesity and Public Health Concerns

• The National Family Health Survey (2019-21) indicates that 24% of women and 23% of men in India are overweight or obese.
• Child obesity among those under five rose from 2.1% in 2015-16 to 3.4% in 2019-21.
• The World Obesity Atlas 2024 projects that by 2035, 83 million Indian children will be obese, up from 33 million in 2020.

Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) and Health Implications

• India is a rapidly growing market for UPFs, with sales increasing by over 150% from 2009 to 2023, contributing to obesity and non-communicable diseases.
• Evidence links high UPF consumption to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, respiratory ailments, and mental health disorders.
• Consequences include increased healthcare costs, reduced productivity, and stress on public finances.

Regulatory Challenges and Proposals

Despite recommendations for front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) in India's National Multi-Sectoral Action Plan for Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in 2017, the FSSAI has not finalized norms due to industry resistance and debates over labelling models.

Current Regulatory Landscape

• The Central Consumer Protection Authority's guidelines prohibit misleading food advertisements but lack clear nutrient thresholds.
• A study by LabelBlind Solutions found that about one-third of food labelling claims were either non-compliant or inadequately substantiated.

Effective Labelling Strategies

• Simple warning labels like “High in Sugar” or “High in Salt” are more effective than rating systems.
• Countries like Chile have successfully integrated warning labels with marketing restrictions, especially for children.

Comprehensive Public Health Strategy

Labelling should be part of a multi-faceted strategy that includes:

• Monitoring and regulating misleading health claims.
• Implementing possible nutrient-based taxes on high fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) products.
• Restricting child-focused marketing, particularly in digital media.

Government initiatives like POSHAN Abhiyaan and Eat Right India provide a supportive infrastructure. It's crucial that consumers are informed about the nutritional content of food amidst aggressive marketing.