India’s Supreme court urges FSSAI to consider front-of-pack warning labels  

INDIA – India’s Supreme Court has asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to actively consider introducing front-of-pack warning labels on packaged food products, citing rising public health concerns linked to high sugar, saturated fat and sodium content. 

While hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking mandatory front-of-pack labelling, the New Delhi-based court observed that there was a prima facie case that prominent warning labels could help consumers make healthier food choices.  

The bench noted that while food companies may resist such measures, regulators must prioritise public health over commercial considerations. 

The court cautioned that if the FSSAI does not take timely action, it may intervene directly, directing the authority to file its response within four weeks. 

The PIL argues that nutrition information printed on the back of food packages is insufficient, particularly as packaged food consumption continues to rise across India. 

The court’s remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of food labelling practices. In recent months, the FSSAI has flagged misleading or poorly substantiated nutrition and health claims across several packaged food categories.  

The regulator has issued advisories and stepped up checks on products including edible oils, honey, beverages, nutraceuticals and ready-to-eat foods. 

An independent study by LabelBlind Solutions found that nearly one-third of labelling claims reviewed across packaged foods were either non-compliant or lacked adequate regulatory support.  

According to the study, higher levels of non-compliance were observed in everyday staples such as honey, ghee, edible oils and tea, with additional gaps identified in emerging categories like plant-based beverages, ready-to-eat meals and packaged snacks. 

Bihar Pushes Sugar Mill Expansion 

Separately, the Bihar government has announced plans to establish new sugar mills and revive closed units as part of a broader effort to boost employment. 

Sanjay Paswan, Bihar’s Minister of Sugarcane Industries, said the department has instructed district collectors in 25 districts to identify and acquire suitable land for the proposed mills. 

“The priority of the state government is job creation, and our goal is to provide employment to one crore youth over the next five years,” Paswan told reporters. The districts identified include Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Samastipur, Gaya, Sheohar, Siwan, Rohtas, Motihari, West Champaran and Patna. 

On pricing, Paswan said most sugar mills in Bihar are privately owned and that cane prices are determined through consultation.  

The government aims to keep prices close to those in Uttar Pradesh, where sugarcane is priced at around Rs400 per quintal (US$4.80), warning that higher prices could delay farmer payments. 

For the 2025–26 crushing season, Bihar has fixed the State Advised Price at Rs380 per quintal (US$4.58) for super grade cane, Rs360 (US$4.34) for general grade and Rs330 (US$3.98) for low-grade varieties.  

Paswan added that measures are also being taken to address waterlogging affecting sugarcane cultivation. 

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