Should India remain underdeveloped? SC raps Centre over packaged food warning labels

Hearing a plea filed by public charitable trust 3S and Our Health Society, a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran said front-of-package labelling, or FOPL, was needed to create awareness, especially among children who were increasingly getting addicted to junk food..

FOPL is a nutrition information graphic on food packaging that can help consumers make informed decisions about purchases and healthier dietary choices. During the hearing on Thursday, when Additional Solicitor General Brijender Chahar said it was not possible to accept the court's suggestion on.

What Happened

Referring to practices in countries including Chile, Israel and Canada, the bench said, "We do not approve the stance of the Union when it says it is not possible to match with international standards, more particularly, developed countries." The bench said the.

• When the Constitution guarantees this right, it casts a corresponding duty on the state to not only refrain from actions that impair the health but also to take affirmative steps to protect it.

• The right to life under Article 21 encompasses the right to health.

• The top court said a balanced, nutrient-rich diet was crucial for a child's growth, development and overall well-being, affecting not just physical health but also how a person feels, performs and behaves.

Key Details

It added, "Thus, the value of FOPL lies not merely in disclosure but in clarity, the precise difference between a consumer being told and a consumer being informed."

• A standard labelling format would reduce confusion and make it easier for consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.

• The court said it did not believe the Centre would face difficulty in implementing changes related to FOPL because the issue was already within its notice, as seen from a suggestion in the Economic.

• If the Union does it on its own, well and good.

Why It Matters

It asked the Centre to consult experts and take a decision on the visual appearance of FOPL, including coloured indicators, interpretive words, numbers, letters or symbols, numerical information and percentage.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by India Today as more details emerge