NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Thursday slammed the Centre and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for not implementing its direction on ‘front-of-pack warning labels’ on processed food packages and said their top priority should be the health of citizens and not the interest of MNCs.A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran said the court could not be taken for a ride. The bench said its Feb order was not merely a suggestion but a direction to FSSAI which had to be complied with. It said FSSAI was bowing down to the manufacturing industry and made it clear that if the food regulator didn’t do it, the court would pass an order. It granted two weeks to FSSAI to reconsider its stance.In Feb, the court directed the Centre and the FSSAI to give top priority to the health concerns of citizens and not to the interests of multinational companies and asked it to implement a ‘front-of-pack warning labels’ system on processed food packages to ensure clear, front-facing symbols designed to instantly identify ingredients like sugar, salt and saturated fat, besides calories.It also rejected the Centre’s contention that international standards could not be applied in India and asked whether India should remain underdeveloped.SC was hearing a plea filed by NGO ‘3S and Our Health Society’. The regulator informed SC consultations were held with all stakeholders in March, and a majority of industry organisations were opposed to the inclusion of ‘warning labels’ and favoured an approach intended to enable informed consumer decisions “without creating fear among consumers”.
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The court asked govt to respond within two weeks. “We have made ourselves abundantly clear that we are concerned with the health of citizens… We still impress upon the Union of India to seriously consider the suggestion and take appropriate action.”
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