New Delhi: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, has informed the Supreme Court of India that it is still working on the design of front-of-pack warning labels for packaged food, as the long-pending reform remains under discussion, The Print reported.
In an affidavit filed on March 13, 2026, the authority said it is considering both pictorial and tabular formats to indicate foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS), with the aim of helping consumers make better choices.
The regulator said it is reviewing scientific criteria and global practices to ensure consistency, noting that while 44 countries have adopted front-of-pack labelling, no single model can be directly applied in India due to its diverse population and varying literacy levels.
Seeking more time, FSSAI told the court that additional consultations are required before finalising the proposal and requested six weeks to submit a detailed plan.
The development comes after a February 10 directive from the Supreme Court, which had asked the regulator to consider mandatory warning labels and expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of progress.
FSSAI said a stakeholder consultation is scheduled for March 19, following which a draft regulation will be prepared and reviewed before being sent for government approval and eventual implementation.
