India’s massive packaged-food industry has taken legal action against the government’s proposed front-of-pack nutritional labeling plan, filing a Supreme Court submission to demand a review of the strict thresholds.
Represented by the All India Food Processors’ Association (AIFPA)—whose members include giants like Nestle, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Hindustan Unilever—the industry warns that the rules could incorrectly brand nearly 80% of packaged products as high in fat, sugar, or salt, ultimately damaging the global image of Indian food.
Key aspects of the legal and regulatory dispute include:
- Strict Thresholds: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India proposed red hexagonal labels for products exceeding specific limits in sugar, salt, or saturated fat. Industry executives argue these rules are stricter than many foreign markets.
- The 100-Gram Benchmark Dispute: Companies object to using a rigid 100-gram standard rather than a per-serve calculation. Executives point out that items like ketchup or pickles are never consumed in 100-gram portions.
- Activist Pushback: Health advocates, including Dr. Arun Gupta, have heavily criticized the AIFPA’s court filing. They labeled the submission a desperate attempt to delay the rollout of warning labels.
The legal challenge arrives amid a broader food safety crackdown across India involving nationwide raids and heightened public scrutiny over food standards. The Supreme Court is scheduled to review the controversial plan.
