India: India's FSSAI Publishes Draft Notification on Front-of-Pack Labeling for Packaged Food Products High in Fat and Sugar and Salt

On September 13, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued draft notification F. No. Std./SP-08/T(FoPNL-N-01), publishing the same on September 20, 2022, on its website. This notification communicates amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Labeling and Display) Regulations (2020), that relate to front-of-pack nutritional labeling (FOPNL) and propose the “Indian Nutrition Rating” based on health star rating system. World Trade Organization (WTO) members are invited to comment on (WTO notification G/SPS/N/IND/288 (September 29, 2022). The comment period for the FSSAI draft amendments is open through November 28, 2022. The Food Safety and Standards (Labeling and Display) Amendment Regulations (2022) will come into effect upon final publication in the Official Gazette of India. Compliance with the amended regulations is voluntary for 48-months from the date of the final notification of these regulations, after which compliance is mandatory.