Parliamentary Panel Urges FSSAI to Finalise Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling Rules

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has urged the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to finalise and notify the Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL) regulations without further delay. The committee observed that although the draft regulations were released in 2022 and attracted over 14,000 stakeholder comments, the final notification is still pending. It recommended introducing simple, clearly visible, and interpretative front-of-pack nutrition labels, including colour-coded indicators (red, yellow, and green) and warning labels for foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat, enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. The panel also stressed that timely implementation of FOPNL would enhance transparency in food labelling, promote healthier dietary choices, and strengthen consumer protection as the consumption of packaged and ultra-processed foods continues to rise across the country.