Supreme Court Mandates Health-First Approach for Food Safety Authority
In a landmark directive, the Supreme Court of India on Tuesday issued a firm instruction to the Central Government and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The court emphasized that the health of citizens must be the paramount concern, overriding the interests of multinational corporations. This ruling came during a hearing on the implementation of a comprehensive 'Front-of-Pack Warning Labels' system for processed food products.
Court's Directive on Warning Labels
A bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan expressed clear dissatisfaction with FSSAI's response, which had sought additional time for further research. The justices stated unequivocally that the court would intervene if the authorities failed to act promptly. They granted a three-week period for the necessary research to be conducted, stressing the urgency of the matter.
"You should not be concerned about multinational companies but about the right to health of citizens of the country," the bench asserted, highlighting the fundamental duty to protect public welfare.
Background and Government Response
The court had previously, in April of last year, directed an expert committee appointed by the Centre to prepare recommendations and submit a report regarding changes to the rules governing the display of ingredients on food packages. The Union government, in its submission, referenced an affidavit from FSSAI indicating that the authority had received a staggering 14,000 comments on the proposed new rules, leading to a decision to amend the regulations accordingly.
The hearing was in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought mandatory Front of Package Warning Labels for processed foods across all states. This system is designed to ensure that clear, front-facing symbols prominently display critical nutritional information, including levels of sugar, salt, saturated fats, and calories.
Historical Context and Health Implications
FSSAI had initially approved a proposal back in 2014 to display nutritional information—such as total sugar, salt, and saturated fat content—in bold lettering and a prominent font size on packaged food labels. A government statement at the time underscored the dual benefits of this amendment: "Along with empowering consumers to make healthier choices, the amendment would also contribute towards efforts to combat the rise of non-communicable diseases and promote public health and well-being."
The Supreme Court's latest intervention reinforces this vision, pushing for swift action to translate policy into practice. By prioritizing transparent labeling, the move aims to arm consumers with the knowledge needed to make informed dietary decisions, thereby addressing the growing burden of lifestyle-related health issues in the country.
