Front-of-pack warning label on food & beverage high in sugar and salt sought

A coalition of India's 29 leading public health and consumer organisations on Tuesday urged the Centre to mandate front-of-pack warning labels on pre-packaged food and beverage products high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat (HFSS).

- Kavita Bajeli-Datt @New Delhi

The leading public health leaders gave the call for warning labels responding to the mounting evidence of health risks posed by HFSS and ultra-processed food products.

Prof K Srinath Reddy, Honorary Distinguished Professor and Goodwill Ambassador of Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) for Public Health Partnerships, who has been a longstanding voice in India's public health landscape, said: "India cannot afford to wait while non-communicable diseases (NCDs) escalate and children become marketing targets. Warning labels are simple, effective, and evidence-based."