Big Food Fights Back Against Indian Labeling Plans

India's food safety regulator has abandoned plans to require colorful warning labels on packaged foods after meeting with industry executives, who argued that such labels would be confusing and ineffective.

The proposed labeling system, which would have included red and green symbols to highlight high sugar levels and low fat content, was met with resistance from companies like Coca-Cola and Nestle, according to recordings of a March meeting between regulators and industry executives.

Coca-Cola executive Mili Bhattacharya argued that warning labels would not prevent consumers from consuming sugary foods, and that Indian doctors had already done a good job teaching patients what food to avoid.

The regulator's decision has been met with criticism from health activists, who say that more transparency in labeling is needed to promote healthier eating habits. The Supreme Court is currently scrutinizing the regulator's decision after a petition by public health activists.