‘Are You Bowing to Corporate Pressure?’: Supreme Court Questions FSSAI on Food Warning Labels

The Supreme Court has pulled up the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) over its reluctance to introduce warning labels on packaged foods high in sugar, salt and fat, questioning whether the food regulator was bowing to corporate pressure. The bench directed FSSAI to place its final decision on record within two weeks, after taking critical note of the regulator's hesitation to implement such a measure.

Court Questions FSSAI's Hesitation On Warning Labels

The Supreme Court was hearing a case in which it had earlier urged FSSAI to consider introducing front-of-pack warning labels on packaged food products containing high levels of sugar, salt and saturated fat in the interest of public health. During the hearing, the court took critical note that FSSAI appeared reluctant to implement such labelling, based on the minutes of a meeting held by the food standards watchdog. FSSAI Proposes New School Food Rules: Check Threshold Limits for Fat, Sugar and Salt.

The bench directly questioned whether FSSAI was succumbing to pressure from corporate entities involved in food manufacturing. "Are you taking the court for a toss? There is immense pressure at the end of all these corporate houses on you. And you are succumbing to that pressure. We are doing this in public interest. Keep that in mind. We are not doing it for ourselves. Why are you not abiding by our order? What have you done so far? We know the pressure on you. Will you do it on your own or should we pass an order?" the bench remarked. Why Did FSSAI Suspend Licences of CHHEDA Specialities Foods and VKC Nuts?

'How Many People Can Afford Dry Fruits?'

The court also addressed concerns around the practical impact of such labelling, stating, "Are you bowing to corporate pressure?" It went on to highlight the disparity in food consumption across income groups, observing, "In this country, how many people can afford dry fruits? How many children buy Kurkure? That makes all the difference. We are not against any particular product. We only want the person purchasing it to know what they are consuming."

The bench was unimpressed by FSSAI's explanation that many Indian foods, including namkeens, would end up being labelled as high in fat, sugar or salt if such warning labels were introduced, reports said. Responding to this concern, the court asked, "You don't want people of this country to remain healthy? More particularly growing children? You (FSSAI) are succumbing to (corporate) pressure! You don't want people of this country to remain healthy?"

Court Clarifies Intent Behind The Push For Labelling

The Supreme Court reiterated that it was not targeting any specific food product but was instead focused on ensuring public awareness around the nutritional content of packaged foods. With the two-week deadline now in place, FSSAI is expected to place its final position on the matter before the court in the coming weeks.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 14, 2026 12:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).