“Public Health Cannot Be Compromised; Citizens’ Well-Being Above Corporate Interests”

New Delhi:Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma

In a strong push for consumer health rights, the Supreme Court has directed the Centre and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to move towards making Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL) mandatory on packaged food products.


The top court made it clear that the government’s priority must be public health — not the commercial interests of multinational food companies.


A bench of the Court emphasized that clear and prominent disclosure of sugar, salt, saturated fat, and calorie content on the front of food packages is essential to enable consumers to make informed dietary choices. The judges indicated that if authorities fail to take timely action, the Court will not hesitate to intervene.
“You should not be concerned about multinational corporations. Your focus must be on protecting the health rights of citizens,” the bench observed during the hearing.


Three Weeks for Action and Recommendations
The Court has granted three weeks for research inputs and recommendations on implementing stricter front-of-pack labeling norms. The matter is being heard in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking mandatory warning labels on processed food items across the country.


Earlier Expert Committee and Pending Reforms
The bench also recalled that in April last year, the Centre had constituted an expert committee to recommend amendments to existing food labeling regulations and suggest improvements in the display of nutritional content.
The Court’s remarks signal concern over the delay in translating those recommendations into enforceable rules.


Background: FSSAI’s 2014 Proposal
Notably, FSSAI had approved a proposal in 2014 recommending that packaged food products prominently display total sugar, salt, and saturated fat content in bold and legible fonts. The aim was to curb rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart ailments by empowering consumers with transparent nutritional information.


A Landmark Intervention in Public Health
The Supreme Court’s sharp observations are being seen as a significant judicial intervention in safeguarding the right to health.
With lifestyle-related illnesses on the rise and processed food consumption increasing rapidly, the spotlight is now firmly on the Centre and FSSAI to act decisively and prioritize citizens’ well-being over industry pressures.