Centre to finalise new labelling norms
A SC bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan has given the central government three months to finalise the rules for labels.
15 Apr 2025 | 646 Views | By WhatPackaging? Team
The Supreme Court has instructed the central government to come up with guidelines on labelling in relation to ingredients being mentioned on the front part of the packaging. Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) firms are awaiting clarity on the guidelines from the government, which firms will adhere to once issued.
According to the new guidelines, food companies may be instructed to highlight the percentage of sugar, salt, and fat on the front of the pack. The Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) has been considering front-of-the-pack labelling. FSSAI had asked for recommendations from companies and industry bodies.
In 2023, FSSAI made amends to the proposed draft policy. The apex food body later invited fresh recommendations from doctors, public health experts, and consumer rights organisations in formulating the draft policy.
As Rajesh Punjabi, a frozen food specialist, said on a post on his X handle, "Many brands lose a lot of money in printing labels due to frequent changes in labelling norms, many unused are discarded." Punjabi added, "We should have fixed time frames. For example, labelling norms can come into effect, say only once or twice every year, 1 April and 1 October."
Some companies have already started printing information on the front of the pack, and once the guidelines are finalised, the industry will follow suit. Since the draft policy was floated earlier, the finalised guidelines shouldn’t take long to be announced.
A plea on the issue was filed by 3S and Our Wealth Society seeking directions from the SC to the central government to improve labelling on packaged foods. The warning on the labels should indicate the excessive presence of added sugars, sodium, unhealthy fats, and other harmful substances.
The central government, during the hearing, presented an affidavit submitted by FSSAI, which mentioned that 14000 comments were received from the public on the proposed new labelling rules. Based on the inputs received, FSSAI will make amendments to the 2020 regulations.
An industry expert said this is good news. The humble snack label is about to get a nutritional upgrade!