Supreme Court Directs Centre to Finalize Food Warning Labels in 3 Months

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday gave the Central government a strict three-month timeline to update food safety regulations, mandating the display of warning labels on packaged food items.

A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan closed a public interest litigation (PIL) that sought mandatory “Front-of-Package Warning Labels” on food packaging. The court noted that the Centre had already initiated steps to revise the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020.

“We direct the expert committee to submit its report with recommendations at the earliest. Based on this report, necessary amendments should be implemented within three months,” the bench stated.

The judges also highlighted the increasing consumption of packaged snacks among children, expressing concern that young consumers often ignore ingredient details and are influenced solely by packaging appeal.

On a lighter note, Justice Pardiwala quipped, “Do you all have grandchildren? Let them decide this petition. They’ll tell you what Kurkure and Maggi are. Kids don’t check the contents—they just see the packet.”

The PIL, filed by Advocate Rajiv S. Dwivedi, argued that clear warning labels can alert consumers to the presence of excessive sugars, salt, and harmful fats, thereby promoting healthier food choices and increasing public awareness of dietary risks.

Representing the government, the counsel revealed that approximately 14,000 public suggestions and objections had been received concerning food labelling. A committee is currently reviewing these inputs and will soon submit its findings to the FSSAI.

Despite the ongoing process, the petitioner urged the court to enforce a firm deadline to ensure timely regulatory amendments. Acting on this plea, the court instructed the Centre to complete the revision process within a 90-day window.