For years, Indian consumers have had to turn a packet around and study the nutrition table to find out how much sugar, salt, or fat a packaged food contains. The rules have been revised many times and are being analysed again recently. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed prominent front-of-pack warning labels for packaged foods that contain high levels of specified nutrients such as added sugar, added saturated fat, and salt. The proposed labels would use a red hexagonal design with clear warnings such as High Sugar, High Salt, or High Fat.
In this article, let’s understand why one should be cautious about words such as natural, multigrain, baked, light, or healthy, and learn basic precautions and recommendations for better health.
Also Read: Food Labels Promote Healthier Choices: Study
What Food Labels Mean For Indian Consumers?
A consumer standing in a supermarket often has only a few seconds to decide between several products. Reading the entire nutrition table takes more time and requires some understanding of serving sizes and nutrient amounts. A prominent front-of-pack warning could make one piece of information easier to notice. Two similar-looking breakfast cereals may both advertise whole grains or added vitamins. If one carries a prominent high-sugar warning, that information would become much harder to overlook. This does not mean a warning label automatically makes a food bad, or that a product without a warning is automatically healthy. Nutrition is more complicated than one nutrient. Instead, the label could act as an additional piece of information to consider alongside the ingredient list, nutrition panel, serving size, and overall dietary pattern.
Also Read: Junk Food Is Injurious To Health, Just Like Tobacco. Why? Find Out Here
Why Are Food Warning Labels Being Reconsidered? Health Benefits And Consumer Impact
Packaged foods can contain significant amounts of sugar, salt or saturated fat, but this information is often found on the back or side of the package. Consumers may therefore notice attractive claims such as healthy, energy, multigrain or low fat before they examine the complete nutrition information. Front-of-pack labelling is intended to make certain nutritional information more visible at the point of purchase. FSSAI's proposal describes the warning as a simple, prominent way to help consumers identify packaged foods high in specified nutrients. The proposal is based on thresholds linked to the Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024, issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN).
Also Read: Understanding Food Label: Here Is Why ICMR Is Urging Consumers To Read Logos
What Proposed Warning Labels Show?
Intended to be visually prominent rather than buried within the detailed nutrition table, depending on its nutritional composition, the label could identify the following in the future:
· High fat content
· High sugar content
· High salt foods
· Highly sweetened beverages
Also Read: Sweet Truth: Uncovering Hidden Sugars in Your Diet And Their Health Impacts
Which Foods Could Carry These Warnings?
A product doesn’t receive a warning simply because it belongs to an unhealthy food category. The warnings are linked to the amount of specified nutrients in the product and the applicable thresholds. The proposed system, which is being studied, could affect a wide range of packaged foods and beverages, depending on their nutritional composition. Products that could potentially fall within the scope include certain foods and beverages such as:
· Packaged snacks
· Biscuits and cookies
· Instant noodles
· Sweetened beverages
· Confectionery
· Ready-to-eat foods
· Frozen foods
· Other processed packaged foods
Also Read: Industrial Starch in Foods: How To Identify? Hidden Risks And Healthy Alternatives
Why Does The Difference Between High And Healthy Matter?
We should not interpret the proposed warning system as a simple healthy-versus-unhealthy classification. A product can be high in one nutrient while still providing other nutrients. Similarly, a product without a front-of-pack warning is not necessarily a nutritious choice. Moreover, portion size also matters. A person may consume considerably more than the serving size stated on a package. The total amount consumed can therefore differ substantially from the amount shown in a nutrition table based on a particular serving. Lastly, ingredients also matter. Looking only at the front of the packet can provide an incomplete picture. The proposed warning labels should therefore be viewed as a quick signal, not a replacement for reading the rest of the label.
Also Read: ICMR Dietary Guidelines 2024: Find Out 17 Specific Recommendations For Better Health
Precautions To Take While Checking Food Warning Labels For Better Health
When buying packaged food, look beyond the marketing claims on the front of the packet and check:
· The nutrition information panel
· Whether added sugar and total sugar information are provided
· Saturated fat
· Serving size
· Ingredient list
· Whether the product contains ingredients you specifically want to limit
Also Read: Craving For Junk Food? Try These Healthy Swaps Loaded With Nutrition – Infographic
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can Food Warning Labels Support Better Health?
Food warning labels can help consumers identify products high in nutrients such as sugar, salt, or saturated fat, making it easier to make informed dietary choices.
Can Warning Labels Help Reduce Excess Sugar Intake?
Yes. Clear warnings about high sugar content may encourage consumers to compare products and limit foods and drinks that contribute excessive added sugar to the diet.
Why Is Excess Salt A Health Concern?
Regularly consuming too much sodium can contribute to high blood pressure and may increase the risk of cardiovascular and kidney-related health problems.
How Can Food Labels Help People With Diabetes?
Nutrition and warning labels can help people with diabetes identify products that are high in added sugar or refined carbohydrates, supporting better meal planning and blood glucose management.
Are Food Warning Labels Enough To Ensure A Healthy Diet?
No. Labels on food products are only an indication for making informed choices. A balanced diet should have a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, pulses, nuts, seeds, and other nutrient-dense foods while limiting highly processed foods.
Conclusion
Food warning labels can play an important role in helping consumers understand the potential health implications of frequently consuming foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. To compare products and make more informed dietary choices, it is good to have clear and easy-to-understand information. A healthy diet, however, involves more than simply avoiding foods that carry warning labels. Maintaining a balanced eating pattern, choosing minimally processed and nutrient-rich foods, staying physically active, and following individual dietary needs are equally important.
References:
[https://fssai.gov.in/
[https://fssai.gov.in/food-law/regulations
[https://fssai.gov.in/notifications.php
[https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Draft_Notification_HFSS_20_09_2022.pdf
https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/IIMA_FoPL_Report_22_02_2022.pdf
https://indiankanoon.org/doc/53649368/
https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/258/AU743.pdf?source=pqars
https://eatrightindia.gov.in/EatRightIndia/how-to-read-label.jsp]
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240075412
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240038349
https://www.indiatvnews.com/health/samosa-and-jalebi-india-s-beloved-snacks-under-fire-join-cigarettes-on-health-alert-list-2025-07-14-998796
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/samosa-jalebi-join-cigarettes-on-health-alert-list/articleshow/122424197.cms
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11174916/
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/junk-food-and-your-health
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