Food experts and consumer activists are urging the Indian government to rethink its food labelling rules. They believe that simply giving foods a “health star rating” will not help people make truly healthy choices, and instead, India should introduce strong warning labels to clearly highlight products that are high in sugar, salt, and fat.
What’s happening?
Recently, the Supreme Court asked the government to implement better food safety norms within three months. This came after a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by two NGOs raised concerns about the need to warn consumers about unhealthy ingredients in packaged food. In response, the government informed the court that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had already received over 14,000 public comments on its draft labelling rules and is now working to update them.
Back in September 2022, FSSAI had proposed a system called the Indian Nutrition Rating or Health Star Rating. This would rate packaged foods from half a star to five stars – more stars meaning healthier food.
Why experts don’t agree with the star rating system
Consumer rights activist George Cheriyan explains that companies can use tricks to get higher ratings. For example, if a chocolate bar has some nuts or added vitamins, it might still get a good score even if it has lots of sugar and fat. This defeats the real purpose, which is to warn people about harmful ingredients.
Cheriyan suggests India should instead adopt a system similar to Chile, where foods high in sugar, fat, or calories have large black octagon warning labels on the front of the pack. Since many people in India struggle to read labels due to literacy or language issues, simple symbols or emojis could be used—just like the green and red dots that show whether food is vegetarian or non-vegetarian. Studies back this idea: after Chile introduced such warning labels and other measures, consumption of sugary drinks dropped by 25% in just 18 months.
Time to let consumers truly decide
Dr Arun Gupta from the think-tank National Advocacy in Public Interest says people usually decide which product to buy in just 6-8 seconds. A star rating doesn’t really help them understand what’s unhealthy for them. Instead, clear warning labels would give people real power to choose what’s best for their health.
Ashim Sanyal from VOICE (Voluntary Organisation in Interest of Consumer Education) adds that front-of-pack labels are very important because they can help fight the rising habit of eating ultra-processed foods, which have been linked to health problems and can even become addictive.
Need for fair discussion and wider coverage
Cheriyan also points out that during the last meeting on food labelling guidelines in 2021, there were 25 people from big industry groups like CII, ASSOCHAM, and FICCI, but only a handful representing consumers and civil society. He says India needs a more balanced and democratic dialogue to decide these rules.
Another important point is that current regulations mostly focus on packaged foods sold in formal markets. But in India, a huge number of people still buy unbranded or loose food items, especially in rural areas or small shops. Cheriyan says FSSAI should also find ways to monitor and regulate these products to keep everyone safe.
Conclusion
Experts agree: India urgently needs a food labelling system that is simple, clear, and honest. Warning labels can help people quickly spot foods that are high in sugar, salt, and fat—empowering them to protect their own health, rather than relying on star ratings that may hide the real picture. In the end, it’s about giving power back to the consumers, so they can make choices that truly match their health needs and lifestyle.
Date: 20 July, 2025
Time: 10 AM to 5 PM
Fee: Rs. 1180
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