PIL in Supreme Court seeks warning labels on packaged food to show fat, sugar, salt levels

A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking the display of frontside warning labels on packaged food items to indicate their salt, sugar and fat levels..The petition has been filed by an organisation named '3S and Our Health Society' through Advocate Rajiv Shankar Dvivedi.Citing the rise of diabetes and other lifestyle diseases in India, the plea says that it is necessary for the Central government to mandate such labels.."The scientific community underscores the dangerous D connection between increased consumption of junk foods and a heightened risk of diabetes, cancers, heart diseases, high blood pressure, mental health issues, and premature deaths. The pervasive marketing of these unhealthy products exacerbates the situation, leading to weight gain and elevated intake of sugars, salt, and saturated fat."Front-of-package labelling would serve as a powerful tool in empowering consumers to make informed choices about their diet while minimising the harmful impacts of food marketed by big corporates, it is underscored."It enables citizens to easily identify and understand the nutritional content and harmful ingredients present in packaged food and beverages, thereby making healthier choices. While the FSSAI has already recognized the significance of FOPL, it is crucial to expedite regulations that mandate the usage of warning labels in prominent positions on packaging."By prominently indicating the excessive presence of added sugars, sodium, saturated fats etc, consumers would be able to easily identify unhealthy food items and make healthier dietary decisions, it is stressed."Warning labels act as a deterrent for excessive consumption and contribute towards raising public awareness about the adverse health consequences associated with consuming such products.".It is stated that the petitioner wrote to the Union Health Ministry for expedited directions in this regard, to no avail.