Something seismic is happening in India’s food policy landscape — and it’s not just about calories or diets. It’s about truth, transparency, and public health.
On February 18, 2026, the Supreme Court of India issued one of the firmest directives yet to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), accusing the regulator of dragging its feet and failing to protect consumer health by delaying a mandatory warning-label regime for packaged foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.
At the heart of this controversy? A simple but powerful idea: consumers should see clear, unavoidable warning labels that say “High in Sugar,” “High in Salt,” or “High in Fat” right on the front of food packets — not hidden down in fine print.
And this clash isn’t happening in a vacuum. It has exposed a deep fault line between public health advocates — backed by scientific evidence — and powerful food industry lobbying that has pushed for a “Star Rating” system that critics say can actually hide unhealthiness behind a veneer of legitimacy.
This battle over food labels isn’t small — it could reshape how India eats forever.
The Core of the Conflict: Mandatory Warnings vs. Star Ratings
For nearly a decade, India has been considering regulations that would require Front-of-Package Nutrition Labelling (FoPNL) on foods with excessive sugar, salt, or saturated fat — known as HFSS foods.
In 2022, FSSAI released draft regulations proposing the Indian Nutrition Rating (INR) — a star-rating system that would assign packaged foods anywhere from half a star (least healthy) to five stars (healthiest).
On the surface, it sounded appealing: a quick, friendly way for shoppers to compare foods at a glance. But experts and public health voices soon raised a critical problem: the star system can be misleading.
A sugary cereal with added vitamins might still get three stars.
A fruit juice with added sugar might score well due to fortified nutrients.
A biscuit heavy in sugar and refined carbs could parade a “healthy” look.
In other words, a star rating can mask the very ingredient risks consumers most care about.
That’s why activists, nutritionists, and consumer groups have rallied behind a different model — the warning label system used in countries like Chile, Mexico, and Israel — where black or red icons warn that a food is “High in Sugar/Salt/Fat” right on the front you can’t miss.
This type of system has been shown to actually change purchasing behavior — reducing junk food consumption and steering families toward healthier options.
Trending Tools: Calorie Calculator
Supreme Court Steps In — With Teeth
Despite years of debate, draft rules, expert committees, and public comments, the front-of-pack labeling regime wasn’t finalised — and the Supreme Court is now furious.
The Bench, led by Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan, criticised the FSSAI’s compliance affidavit as inadequate, noting that the regulator’s promises of more studies and consultations weren’t enough to protect the “Right to Health.”
In response, the Court has now given FSSAI a strict four-week deadline to respond with a concrete plan on implementing a warning label system — a dramatic escalation in a long-running public interest litigation.
Behind closed doors, FSSAI is now reconsidering and may withdraw its star-rating draft entirely, replacing it with a renewed proposal focused on mandatory warning labels.
If it doesn’t, the Supreme Court has made it clear: the health of millions of Indians comes before corporate convenience.
The Economic Survey’s Shocking Proposal: Ad Bans to Protect Children
As if the labelling crisis weren’t enough, the 2026 Economic Survey has thrown another bomb into the debate: a proposal to ban junk food advertising for 17 hours a day — from 6 AM to 11 PM — to reduce exposure of unhealthy food marketing to children.
The rationale is stark:
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Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are now among the fastest-growing segments of the Indian food market — up more than 150% over the past decade.
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Obesity and diet-related diseases have surged alongside this trend.
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Children, in particular, are targeted relentlessly by colourful commercials and brand messages.
The Survey’s recommendation signals a broader shift in how the government sees food marketing — no longer as a matter of profit, but a public health crisis.
Why This Matters to Every Indian Consumer
At first glance, this might seem like legal drama over labels.
But the implications go far deeper.
1. Transparency for Consumers
Consumers could finally see clear, unambiguous warnings about unhealthy foods — before they buy them.
2. A Shift Away From Misleading Marketing
Star ratings have been criticised for creating a “health halo” around products that are actually high in sugar or salt — making unhealthy choices look harmless.
3. Better Protection for Children
Children are especially vulnerable to junk food advertising — and the economic survey’s proposed ad ban would limit exposure during most waking hours of the day.
4. Public Health Gets Priority Over Industry Influence
The Supreme Court’s stance makes it clear: right to health matters more than lobbying efforts or voluntary systems designed by industry.
The Big Food Pushback
Unsurprisingly, multinational food companies and some industry groups have pushed back hard. Many favour star ratings — a system they say is more flexible for product innovation and market competition.
But critics argue these systems:
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Allow unhealthy foods to appear healthier than they are
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Rely on complex algorithms consumers don’t understand
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Delay much-needed regulatory clarity
And that’s precisely the point the Supreme Court has hammered home.
The Road Ahead — And What You Can Do
In the coming weeks, India is likely to see:
✔️ FSSAI submitting a revised labeling proposal
✔️ A new push for mandatory warning labels
✔️ Wider debates on advertising limits
✔️ Potential ripple effects for sugar taxes, school nutrition laws, and more
This isn’t just a legal battle — it’s a national moment in public health policy.
For consumers, the bottom line is simple:
You deserve to know what’s in the food you eat — without having to squint at tiny print or interpret confusing rating systems.
This fight isn’t over yet — but one thing is clear:
The age of misleading “healthy” biscuits that sneak sugar, salt, and fat past consumers with friendly stars may finally be coming to an end.
If you want to explore the details of the Supreme Court’s push on food labeling in real time, check out this authoritative news summary:
👉 Latest Supreme Court Nutrition Labelling Update (verified news source).