Health warning labels on alcoholic beverages soon?

On 30 January, the Bombay High Court has directed the Central and Maharashtra governments, along with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), to respond to a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking mandatory cancer-warning labels on alcohol bottles.

The petition, filed by Pune resident Yash Chilwar, argues that the absence of such warnings increases health risks linked to alcohol consumption. It cites the World Health Organization’s classification of alcohol as a Class I carcinogen, capable of causing cancers such as breast, colorectal, and liver cancer. The plea states consumers have a right to accurate product information and highlights that countries like Ireland and South Korea already enforce similar warnings.

The PIL references a June 2024 WHO report tying alcohol to over 3 million global deaths annually and urges India to adopt warnings akin to those on tobacco products. It also mentions a US surgeon-general advisory confirming alcohol’s role in seven cancer types. Citing Article 47 of the Constitution, which mandates state action against harmful substances, the petition asserts that mandatory labels could reduce consumption. The court has sought responses from authorities.

The FSSAI is in early discussions with liquor companies to introduce larger warning labels on bottles. Officials clarify that no decision has been finalized, as the matter will first be referred to a scientific committee for review. In the past, FSSAI amended the alcohol labeling rules, stating that alcoholic beverages must not contain any nutritional information. The regulations barred nutritional information except voluntary energy content (kcal) declarations.