Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution addresses concerns regarding the regulation of High in Fat, Salt or Sugar (HFSS) food labeling. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken steps to address these concerns, including draft notifications and regulations related to Front of Pack Nutritional Labelling (FOPNL) and HFSS foods. A study was commissioned by IIM Ahmedabad on Front of Package Labeling (FOPL) to assess consumer preferences for different labeling systems. The FSSAI draft notified FSS Labelling and Display amendment Regulation, 2022 on 13th September 2022 as Front of Pack Nutrition Labelling (FoPNL) Model.
Key Points / Main Content:
FSSAI Initiatives:
* Draft Food Safety and Standards Labelling and Display amendment Regulation, 2020 regarding FOPNL and HFSS foods was notified on 13th September 2022.
* Draft notification on 17th February 2025 mandates displaying per serve percentage contribution to Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) in bold with increased font size for added sugar, saturated fat, and sodium.
* FSSAI monitors labels and advertisements for misleading health claims and conducts regular inspections.
* The Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020 enforce sugar disclosure norms.
Consumer Understanding Assessment:
* IIM Ahmedabad conducted a study on FOPL to assess consumer preferences.
* IIMA conducted a large-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving over 20,000 participants to evaluate consumer understanding and impact of FOPL.
Proposed Regulations:
* FSSAI draft notified FSS Labelling and Display amendment Regulation, 2022 on 13th September 2022 as Front of Pack Nutrition Labelling (FoPNL) Model.
* The draft received more than 14,000 comments from various stakeholders.
Impact Analysis:
Consumers:
* Impact: Enhanced awareness of nutritional risks associated with HFSS foods through improved labeling.
* Action Required: To understand and utilize the information provided by the FOPNL to make informed food choices.
Food Businesses:
* Impact: Required to comply with new labeling regulations, including displaying nutritional information and potentially using warning labels.
* Action Required: To review and update labeling practices to align with FSSAI's regulations and potentially reformulate products to reduce HFSS content.
FSSAI:
* Impact: Responsible for enforcing the new labeling regulations and monitoring compliance.
* Action Required: Finalize and implement the FOPNL regulations, address stakeholder comments, and conduct ongoing monitoring and enforcement activities.
Key Entities Referenced
High in Fat, Salt or Sugar HFSS: A category of packaged food products defined by having high levels of fat, salt, or sugar, which are subject to regulation.
Front-of-Package Labelling FoPL: A labeling system designed to convey nutritional information and risks to consumers on the front of food packaging.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI: The regulatory authority in India responsible for ensuring the safety and standards of food products.
Draft Food Safety and Standards Labelling and Display amendment Regulation, 2020: A draft regulation notified by FSSAI related to Front of Pack Nutritional Labelling and HFSS foods.
Recommended Dietary Allowance RDA: The recommended daily intake of nutrients, used as a reference for nutritional labeling.
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad IIMA: An academic institution commissioned by FSSAI to conduct a study on Front of Package Labeling.
Chile: A country that uses warning labels on HFSS foods, used as an international comparison for India's labeling framework.
Mexico: A country that uses warning labels on HFSS foods, used as an international comparison for India's labeling framework.
Government of India
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Department of Consumer Affairs
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 550
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
REGULATION OF HFSS FOOD LABELLING
550. SHRI SRIBHARAT MATHUKUMILLI:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:
(a) the details of broad categories of packaged food products in the country that are High in Fat, Salt or
Sugar (HFSS);
(b) whether the Government has assessed their share in overall processed food consumption and if so, the
details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has reviewed the effectiveness of Front-of-Package Labelling (FoPL) in
conveying nutritional risks to consumers and if so, the key findings of such reviews or consultations;
(d) the comparison of India’s labelling framework with international best practices such as the use of
warning labels in countries like Chile and Mexico, especially in terms of consumer understanding and
public health outcomes;
(e) whether the Government intends to adopt stricter FoPL norms including warning labels for HFSS
foods, particularly those targeted at children along with the timelines proposed for finalising and
implementing such regulations; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI B.L.VERMA)
(a) to (b) : Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified the Draft Food Safety and
Standards (Labelling and Display) amendment Regulation, 2020 related to Front of Pack Nutritional Labelling
(FOPNL) and High fat, sugar, salt (HFSS) etc. on 13th September 2022.
In addition, FSSAI has notified the draft notification on 17th February 2025 mentioning that “the
information regarding per serve percentage (%) contribution to Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) be
given in bold letters with relatively increased font size for added sugar, saturated fat and sodium content.”
FSSAI monitors labels and advertisements for misleading health claims and regularly inspects food
products across India, including rural, urban, and e-commerce sectors. The regulatory authority also enforces
sugar disclosure norms through the Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020, which help assess the market
presence and consumer exposure to high-sugar foods.
(c) to (d) : The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has informed that they have
commissioned IIM Ahmedabad to conduct a study on Front of Package Labeling (FOPL) to assess consumer
preferences for different labeling systems.The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) conducted India’s first large-scale
randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving over 20,000 participants across rural and urban areas to evaluate
consumer understanding and impact of the front-of-pack labelling (FoPL).
(e) to (f) : The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has informed that they have draft
notified FSS (Labelling and Display) amendment Regulation, 2022 on 13th September 2022 as Front of Pack
Nutrition Labelling (FoPNL) Model. The draft received more than 14,000 comments from various
stakeholders including food business organisations.
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