India's leading public health and consumer organizations are advocating for mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on pre-packaged foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fats.

This initiative aims to address the alarming increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, which are linked to the consumption of high fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) foods .

The Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi), along with 28 other organizations, emphasizes that clear warning labels are essential for empowering consumers to make informed dietary choices.

Dr. Arun Gupta, Convener of NAPi, stated, "Without mandatory warning labels, the public remains in the dark. Industry interests must not override children's right to health" .

Supporting this stance, the Supreme Court of India has directed the central government to implement stricter food labeling regulations within three months, highlighting the inadequacy of current labeling practices .

As India grapples with a growing health crisis, the call for transparent and informative food labeling becomes increasingly critical to safeguard public health and promote healthier eating habits.