India's Food Warning Labels Proposal Sparks Controversy Among Health Experts and Industry

The Indian government's proposal to introduce food warning labels has sparked controversy from both health experts and the food industry. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) proposes a red-coloured hexagonal label for products exceeding limits in at least two of three nutrients - added sugar, salt, or saturated fat.

However, global health safety experts have expressed concerns that the proposed two-nutrient threshold will allow many high-risk products to escape scrutiny. 'It will be meaningless,' said Barry Popkin, a professor in the Department of Nutrition at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. 'No other country uses the double nutrient approach.'

The Indian government has faced criticism for allegedly yielding to industry lobbying, with Reuters reporting that Coca-Cola and groups backing Nestle and PepsiCo opposed warning labels on food packaging. The proposal has also been met with resistance from major food companies, which argue that the proposed thresholds are too strict.