FSSAI grants food producers a year to adopt new front-of-pack warning labels

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has sought a 365-day grace period for food manufacturers to comply with new front-of-pack nutrition warning labels, after the Supreme Court asked for a clear implementation timeline. The proposed label features a red hexagon inside a white square, similar to Canada’s system, and will display the name of any nutrient—fat, sugar or salt—that exceeds the prescribed limits per 100 g or ml.

Thresholds for added sugar, added fat and salt are set at specific gram or milligram levels, and the warning applies regardless of the product’s processing level. The authority emphasized that the transition period is intended to avoid commercial hardship for businesses with existing bulk-printed packaging. It also noted that the design avoids multiple symbols to prevent consumer confusion and will be placed prominently on the top left of the front of the pack, larger than the nutrition facts text.