The Supreme Court has mandated that the FSSAI outline precise details about food warning labels, including their design, dimensions, colours, and position on food packaging. Additionally, the court emphasizes the importance of communicating junk food risks to children. FSSAI is tasked with addressing thirteen specific inquiries within ten days, noting while progress has been made, more detailed clarification is still necessary. The 13 questions are part of the detailed order uploaded by the court on Friday, which also includes its observations from the previous day on why FSSAI proposed a two-phase rollout of the labelling requirements instead of implementing them in one go. According to FSSAI’s proposal, during Phase I, a red hexagonal warning would be placed on products high in two or more nutrients of concern, namely added fat, added sugar and salt, based on thresholds in the Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024. The warning could carry declarations such as “HIGH FAT”, “HIGH SUGAR”, “HIGH SALT” and “HIGHLY SWEETENED BEVERAGE”. The proposed Phase II would extend the warning to products high in any one of the specified nutrients. The order questions the regulator on what basis it suggested the inclusion of food products high in “two or more” nutrients of concern and certain sweetened beverages in Phase I, and the inclusion of food products high in “anyone” nutrient of concern in Phase II, respectively. (ICE NEW DELHI)

Fonte notizia: TOI