ITC, Nestle Start Adding Front-Pack Food Labels As FSSAI Rules Remain Pending

As India waits for mandatory front-of-pack food labelling rules, some major packaged food companies have started voluntarily adding nutrition-related information on select products. Companies such as ITC, Nestlé, PepsiCo, and iD Fresh Food have begun displaying claims related to sugar, sodium, preservatives, and artificial ingredients on the front of certain food packs.

The move comes as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is yet to finalise long-pending rules on mandatory front-of-pack warning labels for salt, sugar, and saturated fats.

ITC And Nestlé Add Nutrition Information on Select Packs

Nestlé has reportedly started displaying fat, sugar, and sodium content on the front labels of larger packs of products such as Maggi noodles and Milky Bar. 

Meanwhile, some ITC brands, including Aashirvaad atta and Sunfeast Farmlite biscuits, now carry declarations related to sodium, protein, trans fats, and added sugar on the front of packs.

PepsiCo has also begun rolling out labels mentioning “made without artificial colours and flavours” across parts of its foods portfolio.

Similarly, iD Fresh Food recently highlighted claims such as “no added preservatives” and “mildly salted” on its breakfast batter products.

FSSAI Rules On Warning Labels Still Awaited After 8 Years

Despite years of discussions, India still does not have standardised mandatory front-pack labelling rules for packaged foods.

As per reports, FSSAI has been discussing regulations related to warning labels for sugar, salt, and saturated fats for more than eight years. Earlier this year, the regulator reportedly sought more time from the Supreme Court to finalise the guidelines.

Health experts argue that voluntary declarations by companies remain inconsistent and selective, making it difficult for consumers to compare products properly.

Standardised Labels Are Needed

Public health advocates say front-pack declarations will only become effective when all companies follow a common format across all products. They are calling out for evidence-based warning labels that clearly inform consumers when foods contain high levels of sugar, salt, or unhealthy fats. The issue has gained greater attention recently as consumers increasingly scrutinise ingredient lists and nutrition claims on social media platforms.

Read more: Christmas Orders From US, Europe Drop 10-15% As West Asia Crisis Hits Indian Exporters.

Conclusion

The growing use of voluntary nutrition declarations by companies like ITC and Nestlé reflects rising consumer demand for transparency in packaged foods. However, without standardised FSSAI guidelines, experts believe such labels may remain limited in impact. The industry is now awaiting clear regulations that could reshape how food products are labelled and marketed in India.

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