The National Institute of Nutrition criticises India’s proposed red warning system for packaged foods, arguing that it may fail to protect consumers adequately by only flagging products exceeding multiple nutrient thresholds, rather than any single harmful ingredient.
The Hyderabad-based National Institute of Nutrition has challenged the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s proposed red warning system for packaged foods, arguing that the draft rules are too narrow to protect consumers. In its response, the institute said the labelling plan should flag products that cross the limit for even one nutrient of concern, rather than waiting until they exceed thresholds in several categories at once.
The FSSAI’s proposal would put prominent red hexagonal marks on the front of packs carrying foods high in sugar, fat or salt, with labels such as “HIGH FAT”, “HIGH SUGAR” and “HIGH SALT”. The aim is to give shoppers a quick, easy-to-read warning at a time when India is trying to curb the rise of diet-related illness and steer households towards healthier choices.
But the National Institute of Nutrition said the approach under discussion could leave a gap in consumer protection. It argued that the Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024 were designed to be read as a whole, with sugar, fat, salt and total calories considered together, and that a phased system requiring multiple breaches before a warning appears could allow some ultra-processed foods to stay on shelves without any alert at all. Health experts backing the institute’s position say that products loaded with just one harmful ingredient can still pose a risk, even if they do not trigger every proposed threshold.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
