Parliament Question: Mandatory Front-of-Package Warning Labels

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 1098 TO BE ANSWERED ON24THJULY, 2026 MANDATORY FRONT-OF-PACKAGE WARNING LABELS 1098. SHRI E T MOHAMMED BASHEER: Will the Ministerof HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate: (a) whether the Government proposes to introduce mandatory Front-of-Package (FoP) warning labels on packaged foods containing High in Fat, Sugar and Salt (HFSS) and if so, the detailsthereof; (b) whether the Government proposesto prescribe upperlimitsfor sugar,salt andtotalfat and regulate the advertising and marketing of unhealthy food products particularly those targeted at children;and (c)if so, the detailsthereof, alongwith planof actionof the Government inthisregard? ANSWER THE MINISTEROFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) to (c): Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is mandated to lay down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption. The implementation and enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006isa shared responsibility betweenthe Central andStateGovernments. FSSAI has notified the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 that mandates the mentioning of nutritional information on the labels w.r.t salt, sugar and fat for consumer to make informed choices while selecting the food articles. The matter of introducing Front of Pack Nutritional Labelling and rating system is sub-judice in the Hon’ble SupremeCourt of India.FSSAI has also notified the Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Regulations, 2020 outlining the responsibilities of school authorities toensure the availability of safe and nutritiousfood onschool premises while also promoting balanced diets in and around school campuses. The School Authority shall encourage and promote consumption of a safe and balanced diet in the school canteen or mess or kitchenbased onguidance from “Dietary guidelinesfor Indiansschool. *****