New Delhi, August 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned the Centre and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) over the delay in introducing front-of-pack warning labels for packaged food products containing high levels of sugar, salt and saturated fat, stressing that public health, particularly that of children, cannot be compromised.
A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran questioned the government’s reluctance to introduce stricter nutritional warnings and directed the Additional Solicitor General appearing for the Centre to ensure compliance with the court’s earlier directions.
The bench sought details of the steps taken so far and also questioned whether pressure from corporate interests was influencing the government’s approach.
“We are concerned with the health of citizens, especially growing children,” the bench observed.
Questioning the FSSAI, the court asked whether the authority wanted people, particularly children, to remain healthy.
The court noted that consumers were already aware that packaged foods contain ingredients such as sugar, fat and carbohydrates, but said prominent warnings on the front of packages would enable them to make informed choices before purchasing such products.
Rejecting the argument that warning labels could adversely affect manufacturers, the bench said the ultimate decision to purchase a product rested with consumers. It emphasised that commercial interests could not take precedence over public health.
“This concerns the health of citizens. Manufacturers cannot dictate policy in such matters,” the court said, making it clear that the objective was not to target any particular product but to ensure consumers knew what they were consuming.
During an earlier hearing, the Centre had cited practical difficulties in aligning India’s packaging and nutritional-warning requirements with international standards. The Supreme Court rejected this as a justification for delaying stronger safeguards, observing that India must demonstrate its commitment to protecting public health, especially that of children.
The court has granted the Centre two weeks to submit its response and indicated that the government must either move ahead with the proposed labelling framework voluntarily or face a judicial direction.
Describing the opportunity as the government’s “last opportunity”, the bench warned that it would proceed to pronounce its verdict if no concrete action was taken.
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