Supreme Court Slams Centre and FSSAI Over Delay in Front-of-Pack Warning Labels on Packed Foods

Expressing strong dissatisfaction over the delay in implementing transparent food labeling, the Supreme Court lashed out at the central government and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Key Highlights:
- Court Rebuke: A bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice K Vinod Chandran questioned the delay, asking the government counsel if they took court directions lightly.
- Front-of-Pack Labels: The petition advocates for clear warning labels on the front of packaged items like chips, biscuits, and soft drinks to highlight high levels of sugar, salt, and saturated fat.
- Public Health Impact: The court emphasized that prominent nutritional warnings are crucial to protect children and youth from lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart ailments linked to excessive junk food consumption.