Health can’t be compromised: SC gives Centre 2-week ultimatum on junk food labels

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to decide within two weeks on front-of-pack warning labels for packaged foods. The court linked the issue to public health concerns, citing rising obesity and ultra-processed food consumption in India. The Supreme Court has slammed the Centre over front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods, stating public health cannot be compromised. A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran has given the Centre two weeks to take a decision, threatening further action if the government does not act. The court's intervention follows growing concerns over obesity, particularly among children, and the rapid expansion of ultra-processed food consumption. During the hearing, Justice Pardiwala questioned whether India should remain underdeveloped, emphasizing the need for food-labelling standards similar to those in developed countries. The case relates to a public interest litigation filed by NGOs 3S and Our Health Society, seeking mandatory front-of-pack warning labels to indicate high levels of sugar, salt, and saturated fats. The Supreme Court had earlier expressed dissatisfaction with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), noting that previous efforts had not produced concrete outcomes. The court emphasized the connection between food safety, nutrition, and constitutional rights to health and life under Article 21. The Economic Survey 2025-26 described obesity as a major public health challenge, attributing it to unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, and ultra-processed food consumption. The survey found that 24% of Indian women and 23% of Indian men were overweight or obese based on NFHS 2019-21 data. The market for ultra-processed foods grew by over 150% between 2009 and 2023, displacing traditional dietary patterns and worsening diet quality. High consumption of these foods is linked to adverse health outcomes, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.