The Supreme Court has pulled up FSSAI’s reluctance to put warning labels on foods high in sugar, salt, fat. “Are you bowing to corporate pressure?” asked the Supreme Court’s bench. The bench also remarked “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,” SC stated. The Supreme Court has given FSSAI 2 weeks to place on record their final decision on the matter.

The Supreme Court also questioned the reluctance of FSSAI to introduce front-of-pack warning labels on packaged food products containing high levels of sugar, salt and saturated fat. SC was hearing a case in which the court had earlier urged the FSSAI to consider introducing such warning labels in the interest of public health. Today the court took critical note that the FSSAI was hesitant to implement such a measure, going by the minutes of a meeting held by the food standards watchdog.

The Supreme Court asked if FSSAI was bowing down to 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.

The court was also not impressed by an explanation that many Indian foods, like namkeens, would end up being labelled as high in fat, sugar or salt if such warning labels are introduced. “You don’t want people of this country to remain healthy? More particularly growing children?” the court asked. “You (FSSAI) are succumbing to (corporate) pressure! You don’t want people of this country to remain healthy?” The court went on to comment that it is not against any particular food product but only ensuring public awareness in such matters.

Times Now Digital’s “E-Comms Hiding Health Info”“ campaign has been reporting consumer complaints, what health experts and legal experts believe and the measures FSSAI has taken so far. The campaign has highlighted how India’s quick commerce and e-commerce boom cannot undermine consumers’ right to information and how consumer awareness and transparency is critical for all that they consume going forward.