Can food warnings change what Indians eat?

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Key points

• (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.).
• The thresholds are based on the ICMR-NIN Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024.
• Healthier food choicesFSSAIpublic health measureadded sugar fat saltprocessed foods labelingFood Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
• "Obesity and metabolic diseases are influenced by multiple factors, but dietary patterns and frequent consumption of highly processed foods are important contributors, " Vikram remarked.
• Nevertheless, labelling should be accompanied by broader nutrition education so that the consumers understand why excessive intake of these nutrients matters, Vikram emphasised.

Nifty22, 421.95-198.5. Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund Direct-Growth. The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now. Front-of-pack warnings can support consumers produce healthier food choices: Experts. Front-of-pack warnings can support consumers produce healthier food choices: Experts. PTILast Updated: Oct 03, 2026, 05: 52: 00 PM IST.

FSSAI's proposed front-of-pack warning labels for packaged foods high in continued sugar, fat or salt could produce nutritional risks easier for consumers to spot and compare, health experts noted. They additionally stressed that labels alone will not be enough and should be backed by nutrition education, clearer communication and wider access to affordable healthy foods. Listen to this article in summarized format. Unlock AI Briefing and Premium Content. New Year Offer 24 Hours Left. Subscribe Now Already a member? Sign In.

New Delhi: Front-of-pack warning labels identifying packaged foods high in continued sugar, went on fat or salt can create nutritional risks more visible to consumers and assist them create more informed choices, health experts noted, stressing the need for nutrition education alongside labelling. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a red hexagonal warning on the front of packaged food products that cross specified thresholds for "even one" nutrient of concern. The thresholds are based on the ICMR-NIN Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024. Dr Naval K Vikram, Professor, Department of Medicine, AIIMS-Delhi, remarked the proposed front-of-pack warning labels can play an notable role in helping individuals recognise foods that contain excessive amounts of sugar, salt or fat at the point of purchase.

"Obesity and metabolic diseases are influenced by multiple factors, but dietary patterns and frequent consumption of highly processed foods are important contributors, " Vikram remarked. "Most consumers do not have the time or expertise to interpret detailed nutritional tables while shopping. A simple, prominent warning can therefore create this information more accessible and assist individuals compare products more easily, " he remarked. Live Events.

Nevertheless, labelling should be accompanied by broader nutrition education so that the consumers understand why excessive intake of these nutrients matters, Vikram emphasised. Aman Puri, Founder, Steadfast Nutrition, welcomed the proposal and remarked prominent warnings could assist consumers understand nutritional risks more easily. "Given the growing concern around obesity and diet-related health problems in India, FSSAI's proposal to feature red hexagonal warnings on the front-of-pack of processed foods high in nutrients of concern – added fat, added sugar and salt – is a welcome move and an important public health measure, " Puri remarked. He remarked nutritional information is at present provided in a table on the back of the pack, making significant information concerning quantities of nutrients "buried at the back" and not immediately visible. Functional medicine practitioner Mugdha Pradhan, Founder and CEO of health and wellness firm iThrive, stated front-of-pack labelling is significant as consumers generally do not turn a packet around and study the fine print while shopping. "If the label is right there on the front, you see it immediately and can compare different brands before making a purchase. You should know what is entering your body, especially when it comes to sugar, salt and fats, " she remarked. According to Pradhan additionally, consumers need clearer labels so that they are not influenced by "fancy words or a health halo", pointing out that a product could be labelled gluten-free while still being high in sugar or unhealthy fats. Dr Shelly Dutta, Associate Professor, Medicine, at RML Hospital, Delhi, remarked the objective of front-of-pack labelling should be to provide clear information right now consumers decide what to purchase. "The purpose of front-of-pack labelling is not to frighten consumers but to offer them clear information right now when they are deciding what to purchase. In India, where levels of nutrition literacy vary considerably, clarity and visibility are particularly significant. Such labels can additionally encourage manufacturers to reformulate products and reduce the amount of nutrients of concern, " Dutta stated. Nevertheless, labelling should be part of a broader public-health strategy that includes nutrition education, healthier food environments and better access to affordable nutritious foods, she underlined. "The ultimate goal should be to make healthier choices easier and more informed, " Dutta remarked. Suresh Garg, Founder and Managing Director, Zeon Lifesciences, remarked front-of-pack warning labels could be useful for improving consumer awareness, but stressed that consumers must understand what the warnings communicate. "In a country as diverse as India, nutrition communication must go beyond a red symbol and be supported by education, particularly in local languages, so that consumers understand what the warning represents and how different nutrient levels should be interpreted within their overall diet, " he remarked. According to Garg additionally, awareness alone could not drive healthier choices if nutritious alternatives remained inaccessible or unaffordable. "Front-of-pack labelling should therefore be part of a wider nutrition strategy combining literacy, accessibility, responsible formulation and informed choice. The objective should be to create consumers pause and understand – not simply fear the food they consume, " Garg stated. Add Now!

For now, can food warnings change what Indians eat? Remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.