New Delhi, 13 August (H.S.): The Supreme Court on Thursday reprimanded the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for opposing the introduction of warning labels on packaged food products containing high levels of sugar, salt and saturated fats. A Bench headed by Justice J.B. Pardiwala observed that if the food safety regulator was unwilling to act, the court would step in.

During the hearing, the FSSAI, instead of taking action in accordance with the court’s earlier directions, advocated displaying the recommended daily intake of sugar, salt and fats on all packaged food products. The court expressed displeasure over the proposal and made it clear that its directions issued in February were not merely suggestions but constituted an order.

The Supreme Court directed the FSSAI to reconsider its proposal seriously within two weeks. It also rejected the Centre’s contention that international standards relating to food labelling could not be implemented in India.

The court told the Centre and the FSSAI that the matter concerns the health and well-being of citizens, particularly growing children, and decisions relating to food safety should not be influenced by pressure from corporate interests.

The Bench questioned whether the authorities did not want people in the country to remain healthy, underscoring the need for stronger measures to protect consumers from the potential health risks associated with excessive consumption of sugar, salt and saturated fats.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar