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SC pulls up FSSAI over delay in Front-of-Pack Labelling, gives 4-week deadline
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Thursday, 12 February, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi
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The Supreme Court of India has taken a hardline stance against the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), ordering the regulator to prioritise public health over the profits of multinational food corporations with respect to Front-of-Pack Labelling.
?The FSSAI has been granted a strict four-week deadline to present a concrete roadmap for these regulations. The court warned that if the regulator fails to provide a satisfactory plan, the judiciary will step in to issue its own binding mandates.
In a recent hearing, the court demanded the swift implementation of Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL) to combat the nation's rising rates of obesity and diabetes.
?The bench, comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan, expressed sharp disapproval of the FSSAI’s continued delays.
While the regulator argued it was still analysing thousands of public responses, the Justices remarked that the "right to health" for Indian citizens is a fundamental priority that cannot be sidelined by administrative bureaucracy or industry lobbying.
?As per reports, the court is moving away from the industry-favoured "Star Rating" system, which critics argue can be misleading. Instead, the focus has shifted to mandatory warning labels.
These would feature bold, front-facing symbols indicating high levels of: Added Sugars, Sodium (Salt) and Saturated Fats.
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