Turn over a namkeen packet today and you need reading glasses, a calculator and five spare minutes. India's food regulator now wants the most important part on the front, in red.
FSSAI has proposed a red hexagonal warning on the front of packaged foods high in added sugar, salt or saturated fat, with words like "High Sugar" or "Highly Sweetened Beverage". It is still a proposal: the Supreme Court reserved judgment on 28 September 2026, and final rules are not yet notified.
Last updated: November 2026
The problem
Today, the useful numbers sit in the small nutrition table on the back. Most of us decide in the aisle in a few seconds, guided by the bright "multigrain" or "baked" claim on the front.
That gap is what a petition by the trust 3S and Our Health Society asked the Supreme Court to fix. On 13 August 2026, the court criticised FSSAI's delay, and FSSAI then filed its proposal (ETV Bharat, 2026).
Why it happens
What FSSAI has proposed
- A red hexagon carrying "High Fat", "High Sugar", "High Salt" and/or "Highly Sweetened Beverage" (Drishti IAS, 2026).
- Bigger print: one point larger than the nutrition table on the back.
- Exemptions: single-ingredient foods and foods naturally high in these nutrients, such as ghee, edible oil, salt, sugar, jaggery and honey.
- Thresholds based on the ICMR-NIN Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024. The reports we checked did not publish the exact per-100 g cut-offs.
Where it stands now
FSSAI first proposed two phases. At the 28 September hearing, it said it needs about four months to finalise draft regulations, a 60-day public comment window, and then a 365-day voluntary period for companies (ThePrint/PTI, 2026). It also said it could accept a single-phase roll-out. The court questioned the timeline and reserved judgment (Legal500, 2026).
So nothing changes on shelves yet. But the direction is clear, and it's worth learning the skill now.
What to do
- Read the back, per 100 g. Compare products by "total sugars" and "added sugars" per 100 g, not per serving, since serving sizes vary.
- Check the ingredients order. Ingredients are listed by weight, so sugar near the top is a clue. Our guide to sugar-free vs no added sugar explains the common claims.
- Know your daily budget. ICMR-NIN advises that sugar should be less than 5% of total energy for adults, or about 20–25 g a day (ICMR-NIN, 2024). One sweet drink can use up most of that.
- Don't trust the halo. Exempt foods like jaggery and honey won't carry the warning, but they are still sugar. Read why honey isn't a free pass.
- Look past one number. A label tells you what's inside, not how fast it hits. That is where the glycemic index comes in.
Did you know? The Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024 include a whole guideline (number 17) on reading food labels to make informed, healthy choices (ICMR-NIN, 2024).
FAQ
Is the FSSAI red warning label mandatory now?
No. As of early November 2026 it is a proposal. The Supreme Court reserved judgment on 28 September 2026, and FSSAI still has to notify final regulations.
Will ghee, jaggery and honey get the warning?
Under the proposal, no. Single-ingredient foods and foods naturally high in fat, sugar or salt are exempt, though other labelling rules still apply.
What does "Highly Sweetened Beverage" mean?
It is one of the proposed declarations for specified sweetened drinks. The exact thresholds will be set in the final regulations.
Save this for your next grocery run, and share it with the friend who buys anything labelled "baked". For more label skills, read what "low GI" really means on a pack.
This article is for information, not medical advice. If you have diabetes or take medication, talk to your doctor before changing your diet.
Research & References
- ETV Bharat. FSSAI proposes front-of-pack warning label in red for food products high in fat, salt and sugar. ETV Bharat, 29 August 2026. — Supports: red hexagon proposal, exemptions, Supreme Court order of 13 August 2026.
- Drishti IAS. FSSAI proposes front-of-pack warning labels for packaged foods. Drishti IAS, 1 September 2026. — Supports: label wording, font size, phases, thresholds tied to DGI 2024.
- PTI via ThePrint. SC questions FSSAI over its proposed timeline for implementation of front-of-package labelling. ThePrint, 28 September 2026. — Supports: four-month timeline, 60-day consultation, 365-day voluntary period, order reserved.
- Legal500. Front-of-pack labelling in India: Supreme Court examines FSSAI's proposed framework. Legal500, 2026. — Supports: hearing dates, single-phase option, judgment reserved.
- ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition. Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024. ICMR-NIN, 2024. — Supports: sugar under 5% of energy (20–25 g/day for adults); label-reading guideline.
