FSSAI proposes single-phase front-of-pack warning labels
India’s food regulator proposes red hexagonal warnings for packaged foods exceeding nutrient thresholds, with businesses given a 365-day voluntary transition period.
INDIA – The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a single-phase system of front-of-pack warning labels for packaged foods high in added sugar, added fat or salt.
Under the proposed Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FoPL) system, products exceeding the specified threshold for even one nutrient of concern would carry a prominent warning on the front of the package. The thresholds would be based on recommendations from the ICMR-NIN Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024.
The proposed warning would feature a red hexagon against a white square background, with the nutrient exceeding the threshold identified inside the symbol. Where two or three nutrients exceed the applicable limits, they would be displayed together in the same warning.
FSSAI said the single warning format is intended to avoid confusion that could arise from using separate pictorial symbols for each nutrient, particularly when multiple nutrients are present.
The regulator is also considering moving the declaration “CONTAIN NON CALORIC SWEETENER” to the front of packaged foods and beverages containing non-caloric sweeteners. The statement is currently required on the back of the pack.
FSSAI has proposed using added sugar and added fat, rather than total sugar and saturated fat, for the relevant criteria. The authority said the thresholds would apply irrespective of the level of processing of a food.
The proposal forms part of FSSAI’s response to discussions over the implementation of front-of-pack nutrition labelling. The authority said approximately four months would be required to issue and finalise the draft regulations before they are published for stakeholder comments.
The draft regulations would then be open for comments for 60 days. FSSAI has proposed a 365-day voluntary implementation period for food businesses.
The authority said the transition period would help prevent commercial hardship for food businesses that already have packaging materials printed under existing requirements. It added that the approach takes into account the need to avoid unnecessary restrictions on trade.
FSSAI’s proposed system would provide a standardised front-of-pack indication of nutrients of concern, with the warning displayed prominently for visibility and legibility. The authority said the approach is intended to give consumers clearer information about the nutritional composition of packaged products.
The proposal is subject to the completion of the regulatory process, including publication of the draft regulations and stakeholder consultation before final rules are issued.
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