"India Facing Huge Diabetes Problem": PIL In Supreme Court For Warning Labels On Packaged Foods Regarding Sugar & Fat Levels

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed before the Supreme Court seeks judicial intervention to direct the Union of India, as well as States and Union Territories, to mandate the implementation of Front-of-Package Warning Labels (FOPL) on packaged foods.“That it is very prominent to consider that the Front of Package Labelling serves as a powerful tool in empowering consumers to make informed choices about their diet and reducing the adverse impact of commercial interests of big corporates. It enables citizens to easily identify and understand the nutritional content and harmful ingredients present in packaged food and beverages, thereby making healthier choices. While the FSSAI has already recognized the significance of FOPL, it is crucial to expedite regulations that mandate the usage of warning labels in prominent positions on packaging”, the petition reads.A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra last week issued notice in the PIL returnable in four weeks and listed the petition on August 27, 2024.The PIL filed by an organization named "3S and Our Health Society" through Advocate Rajiv Shankar Dvivedi highlights the urgent need for interpretive labels that clearly indicate the levels of sugars, salt, and saturated fat in packaged foods. The petition argues that such labels will empower consumers to make informed dietary choices, help reduce the prevalence of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and address public health concerns related to obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions.The petition emphasizes that clear FOPL, particularly interpretive labels, are effective even for non-literate populations and have been successfully adopted in several countries to curb junk food consumption.“That these warning labels would effectively indicate the excessive presence of added sugars, sodium, unhealthy fats, and other harmful substances. By prominently displaying this vital information, it becomes easier for consumers to identify unhealthy food items and make healthier dietary decisions. Furthermore, warning labels act as a deterrent for excessive consumption and contribute towards raising public awareness about the adverse health consequences associated with consuming such products”, the petition states.The petition underscores the alarming increase in diabetes and other NCDs in India. “That in India, it is estimated that nearly 58 lac people die from NCDs every year out of nearly 90 Lac overall deaths”, as per the petition.Diabetes, identified as a "silent epidemic," affects millions and places a substantial burden on the healthcare system, the petition states.“India is currently facing a huge public health crisis beginning from under nutrition of the children to emerging obesity both in children and adults and is escalating the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Crores of people are suffering from obesity, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. The recent report of National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5-2021) shows that under nutrition in children is almost stagnant as one in 3 children are suffering from under-nutrition, and obesity is rising in children under the age of five. The percentage of obese women increased to 24 per cent from 20.6 per cent in 2015-16, while the percentage for men rose to 22.9 per cent from 18.4 per cent four years earlier”, the petition states.The PIL points out that globally, over 70 percent of deaths are attributed to NCDs, with India accounting for 6 million deaths annually due to such diseases. The petition cites studies showing that one in four individuals in India is affected by diabetes, largely due to obesity—a condition exacerbated by high consumption of junk foods.The petitioner draws attention to several studies and reports highlighting the adverse impact of unhealthy diets. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5-2021), under-nutrition in children remains a significant issue, with obesity rates rising among both children and adults. The survey indicates that obesity among women has increased from 20.6 percent in 2015-16 to 24 percent, and among men from 18.4 percent to 22.9 percent. Additionally, the petition cites the International Council of Medical Research – India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study revealing that, as of June 2023, India had approximately 10.1 crore people with diabetes, 13.6 crore with prediabetes, 31.5 crore with hypertension, and 25.4 crore with generalized obesity.The petition also notes findings from the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) 2016, which reported that over half of the children surveyed exhibited signs of metabolic obesity, regardless of their weight or height. The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has acknowledged that unhealthy diets are a major risk factor for NCDs, which are projected to account for an increasing number of deaths globally, the petition states.The petition details the consumption of...

"India Facing Huge Diabetes Problem": PIL In Supreme Court For Warning Labels On Packaged Foods Regarding Sugar & Fat Levels

Amisha Shrivastava

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