SUPREME COURT REVIEWS RED WARNING LABEL PLAN FOR PACKAGED FOODS

September 28, 2026

India’s proposed front-of-pack warning system for packaged foods has come under further scrutiny as the Supreme Court examines concerns over the use of red-coloured symbols and their possible interpretation by consumers.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed prominent red hexagonal warnings on products containing high levels of nutrients such as added sugar, salt and saturated fat. The proposal is intended to make important nutritional information more visible on the front of food packages.

Food industry representatives have asked the Supreme Court to reconsider the use of red, arguing that consumers in India may associate the colour with the existing identification marking for non-vegetarian food products. The industry has also raised questions about the design and scientific thresholds for the proposed warnings.

The Supreme Court is examining the broader framework of the proposed labelling system, including how clearly warnings can communicate nutritional risks to India's diverse population. Earlier proceedings also focused on the need for accessible information, including the possible use of words and pictorial symbols.

The latest proceedings form part of the court's continuing consideration of mandatory front-of-pack nutritional warnings, with the issue involving both consumer information and the regulatory framework governing packaged foods in India.