Health experts criticised the FSSAI proposal, however, saying the two-nutrient approach was an "industry-friendly loophole". Representative Image
India's government on Thursday told the Supreme Court it was open to tougher red warnings on food packaging after health activists said its earlier proposal was too easy on companies, in a potential blow to the $100 billion food industry.
After years of delays, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) last month suggested a two-phased labelling programme, starting with red-coloured hexagonal warning labels on products that exceeded limits in at least two of three categories - added sugar, salt or saturated fat. Stricter rules would be introduced in a second phase, it said.
The announcement came as India's federal and state food regulators pursued an aggressive enforcement drive, with surprise raids on eateries uncovering poor hygiene and leading to many forced closures, stoking anger among consumers.
Health experts criticised the FSSAI proposal, however, saying the two-nutrient approach was an "industry-friendly loophole" that disregarded public health, as many products would escape scrutiny.