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As shelves in Indian grocery stores fill with brightly packaged snacks and sugary drinks, a quiet but serious health crisis is brewing.  Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are rising sharply, especially among children and adolescents. One of the main culprits is the unchecked consumption of foods that are High in Fat, Sugar, and Salt (HFSS). India’s response to this problem is still evolving. But recent developments raise an important question: Are we doing enough to inform and protect consumers, especially the most vulnerable, about what’s really inside their food?

Across the globe, warning labels on food packaging have emerged as a simple yet powerful tool to help people make healthier choices. Countries like Chile, Mexico, and Argentina have adopted bold black labels with clear messages like “High in Sugar” or “Excess Fat,” which have led to noticeable reductions in the consumption of junk food.

For example, Chile witnessed 37, 22, and 16 per cent less consumption of sugar, sodium and saturated fats, respectively, within 36 months of introducing warning labels. These labels work because they’re direct, easy to understand, and hard to ignore. Especially in countries with low literacy levels or limited nutrition education, a simple visual cue can make a big difference. 

What Approach Has India Taken?

In 2019, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) proposed a Front-of-Pack Labelling (FoPL) system to tackle the HFSS challenge. But instead of warning labels, India is leaning toward a Health Star Rating (HSR) model - similar to the one used in Australia, which assigns stars to food products based on an overall nutrition score.

The idea sounds good in theory, but in practice, it could do more harm than good with misleading comparisons, overlooking the process while looking at specific nutrients, etc. Instead of sending a clear “stop” signal, stars create confusion and false perceptions of health. A 2024 study on advertising policies on restricting marketing of HFSS in India shows a lack of a clear definition and weak enforcement of policies restricting HFSS food ads targeting children.

Part of the resistance to clear warning labels in India stems from strong lobbying by the processed food industry, which fears negative impacts on product sales and brand reputation. Industry stakeholders often argue that strict labelling could hurt consumer choice and innovation.

But public health experts counter that these arguments are reminiscent of tobacco industry tactics - delaying regulation while health risks mount. India’s health policy must prioritise people over profits and promote healthy dietary behaviours, and regulate marketing and access to HFSS. Warning labels are not about eliminating consumer choice; they’re about enabling informed choice.

For The Next Generation

Over 135 million Indians suffer from obesity and related metabolic disorders. Children and adolescents are increasingly being targeted through advertising, packaging with cartoon characters, and social media influencers promoting HFSS products. Without stronger regulations, we are setting the next generation up for lifelong health struggles.

India still has a chance to steer the course. Ditch the stars, adopt warning labels by following global best practices and introduce clear, visual warnings for high sugar, fat, and salt. Labelling policies should restrict health claims and packaging tactics to prevent harmful industries from undermining their impact, aligning labelling with marketing controls for better public health outcomes. Urgent need to base policy on Indian consumer research by designing labels that work for our diverse population, especially those with lower education levels. Most importantly, encourage industry reformulation by incentivising to reduction of unhealthy ingredients and creating better options.

As packaged foods and ultra-processed products enter more Indian kitchens than ever before, the time for vague labels and voluntary guidelines is over. Clear, mandatory warning labels are no longer a policy option - they are a public health necessity. India deserves a labelling system that puts transparency, equity, and consumer well-being first.

Let’s stop sugarcoating the truth. Let’s label it – clearly.

(The author is Senior Fellow, Health Initiative, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi)

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