New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India bench of CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra on a PIL seeking directions to the Union of India as well as States and Union territories for taking cognizance and issuing appropriate directions or making regulation for Front-of-Package Warning Labels on Packaged Foods, especially interpretive labels that succinctly indicate the amount of sugars, salt, or saturated fat. The petitioner, 3S AND OUR HEALTH SOCIETY, through the PIL has drawn attention of the Court on the alarming rise in the spread of diabetes and associated diseases in India. The bench has issued notice returnable on August 27.
The PIL states “Diabetes has emerged as a silent epidemic in India, affecting millions of individuals and posing a significant burden on our healthcare system….Shockingly, 1 in 4 individuals in the country is grappling with diabetes, predominantly attributed to obesity.” On the increased consumption of junk foods, it has been submitted that pervasive marketing of these unhealthy products exacerbates the situation, leading to weight gain and elevated intake of sugars, salt, and saturated fat. Highlighting the potential benefits of implementing Front of Package Labelling (FOPL) with warning labels as proposed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the plea states, “Front of Package Labelling serves as a powerful tool in empowering consumers to make informed choices about their diet and reducing the adverse impact of commercial interests of big corporates. It enables citizens to easily identify and understand the nutritional content and harmful ingredients present in packaged food and beverages, thereby making healthier choices….”.
It has been submitted that the implementation warning labels would not only help tackle the rise in cases of diabetes and associated diseases but also address other non-communicable diseases, including obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions which are directly associated with lifestyle.
