Understanding FSSAI’s Color Code for High-Fat, Sugar & Salty Foods

In today’s fast-paced world, packaged foods have become a household staple. However, with rising concerns about obesity and lifestyle diseases, it’s more important than ever to understand what these products contain. To help consumers make healthier choices, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a new labeling rule. Packaged items like chips, biscuits, soups, and juices high in fat, sugar, or salt will need to display a red color code on the front of the packaging. This visual warning aims to promote better awareness of unhealthy ingredients and encourage mindful consumption.

FSSAI's initiative seeks to boost transparency and awareness about nutrition. But what does this mean for food manufacturers and buyers? Could it shift consumer behavior? Let’s dive into the details and potential impact on India’s food industry.

Understand the FSSAI's Red Alert: Color Coding for High-Calorie Foods Proposal

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of food products available in the country. In an effort to promote healthier eating habits and reduce the rising cases of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. FSSAI has proposed a front-of-pack labeling (FOPL) system that introduces red color coding for food products that exceed recommended levels of fat, sugar, or salt (HFSS foods).

The new draft labeling regulations define that packaged food manufacturers will be required to display a red color warning label on the front of the packet. If the product contains high levels of saturated fats, trans fats, added sugar, or sodium beyond a set threshold. The goal is to provide consumers with clear, easy-to-understand information about the nutritional content of processed foods, this enables them to make more informed choices.

This regulation will be applied to which Food Products

The regulation applies to a wide range of processed and packaged foods, some of which are mentioned below

1. Snacks like chips and namkeen
2. Packaged biscuits and cookies
3. Instant noodles and soups
4. Carbonated soft drinks and packaged juices
5. Ready-to-eat meals and frozen foods
6. Bakery products like cakes and pastries

These foods often contain high amounts of unhealthy ingredients, which contribute to lifestyle diseases when consumed frequently. The people who are health conscious need to segregate what to consume and what not. So color coding is a helpful way to update consumers about what they are consuming for making an informed decision.

• Limit for High Fat, Sugar, and Salt (HFSS) Foods

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is expected to set specific nutritional limits for when a product must carry a red label. These thresholds are likely to be based on international standards and scientific recommendations. If a food product exceeds these limits, it will be compulsorily marked with a red warning symbol to alert consumers.

• The Purpose to Introduce This Proposal

The move aligns with global efforts to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, which are on the rise in India due to poor dietary habits. Similar front-of-pack labeling systems have been implemented in countries like Chile, Brazil, and the UK, where they have been successful to encourage consumers to opt for healthier food choices.

FSSAI aims to help consumers make better choices, motivate food makers to improve their products and promote a healthier population by making nutrition details easier to understand. The red label serves as a visual warning to ensure that consumers can quickly identify and limit their intake of unhealthy foods.

The Different Types of Color Codes Introduced by FSSAI and Their Meaning

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a Front of Pack Labeling (FOPL) system that uses color codes to indicate the health impact of packaged food products. This initiative aims to help consumers easily identify whether a product is healthy or contains high levels of fat, sugar, or salt (HFSS foods). The color codes are designed to be a quick visual guide to promote healthier choices and increase awareness about nutritional content.

Detailed Color Coding for Packaged Food in India

Background

Color-coded labeling is an initiative by FSSAI aimed at making nutritional information more accessible and understandable. It visually highlights the presence of high levels of fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) in packaged foods through color indicators, especially on the front-of-pack labels (FoPL).

Proposed Color Coding System by FSSAI

• Red Color Code – Warning Indicator

What it means: The product contains high levels of saturated fat, total sugar, and/or sodium (salt).
Where it appears: Front-of-pack (FoP) labels, usually on nutrition grid or traffic lights.
Purpose: To act as an immediate visual warning, discouraging overconsumption of unhealthy food.
Applicable to: Items like chips, sugary drinks, biscuits, soups, instant noodles, processed snacks, etc.
Example: If a packet of chips exceeds the set threshold for sodium and fat, both categories will be marked in red.

• Green Color Code – Healthier Choice

What it means: The product contains low levels of the specified nutrients (fat, sugar, salt).
Where it appears: On the FoP label as a green box or circle.
Purpose: To guide consumers toward healthier options.
Often used in: Packaged fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grain snacks, or health-focused brands.

• Amber/Yellow Color Code – Moderate

What it means: The product has moderate levels of nutrients.
Where it appears: Usually as an amber or yellow marking in the grid or traffic-light-style label.
Purpose: To indicate that the food can be consumed in moderation, but is not the healthiest option.

Parameters Considered for Color Coding

Color coding is based on Reference Intake (RI) values. FSSAI plans to implement threshold-based marking derived from WHO guidelines.

Nutrients considered:

* Thresholds may vary depending on food type (solid/liquid) and serving size.

Label Formats (Under Discussion or Suggested)

• Traffic Light Labeling System

  • Amusingly each nutrient (fat, sugar, salt) is color-coded with red, yellow, or green as traffic lights inform a traveler’s safety. FSSAI is also following the same marking system for easy to understand by the common users.
  • Gives consumers a nutrient-wise breakdown.

• Star Rating System (like Health Star Rating - HSR)

  • Some pilot suggestions include star ratings (1–5 stars) to reflect the overall healthiness of a product.
  • Often seen in countries like Australia and New Zealand.

• Warning Labels

  • FSSAI may explore symbol-based warnings, such as stop signs or exclamation marks to indicate risk.

Global Inspiration

India's labeling is inspired by systems in:

• Chile – Black warning logos for high HFSS content
• UK – Traffic light system
• Australia/New Zealand – Health Star Rating
• Mexico – Front warning symbols for sugar, salt, calories

Implementation & Industry Feedback

• Voluntary Phase: The system may initially be rolled out as voluntary for brands.
• Mandatory Phase: Gradual transition to mandatory labeling for all HFSS products.
• Manufacturer Concerns: Pushback from processed food industries citing market impact, but FSSAI prioritizes public health.

Impact on Consumers & Brands

For Consumers:

• Easier to compare products at a glance.
• Drives healthier purchasing decisions.
• Improves nutritional literacy among the general public.

For Brands:

• Encourages product reformulation (reduce sugar/salt/fat).
• Promotes transparency and consumer trust.
• May reshape marketing strategies, especially for children’s products.

FSSAI's color-coded labeling is a powerful tool for promoting healthier eating in India. By simplifying complex nutritional data into visual cues, it empowers consumers to make better choices and urges brands to take responsibility for their products.

As India faces rising health challenges from poor diets, this labeling strategy can be a game-changer in building a healthier, more informed nation.

Why is Color Coding Important?

Color coding on food packaging is an incredibly useful way to help people make healthier food choices. With the busy pace of life today, many of us don’t have the time to study complex nutrition labels. That’s where the color-coding system introduced by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) comes in, this makes it so much easier for consumers to understand a product’s health value at a glance. Here are some reasons to implement color coding on food packaging.

• Quick Visual Identification

Color coding provides an instant visual cue, allowing consumers to quickly assess the nutritional value of food items without reading detailed labels.

• Promotes Informed Choices

By using colors like red for high levels of fat, sugar, or salt, consumers can make more informed and conscious decisions about their diet.

• Encourages Healthy Eating Habits

Highlighting unhealthy food products may discourage frequent consumption, promoting healthier alternatives and balanced eating habits.

• Simplifies Nutritional Information

Nutritional data can be complex; color coding simplifies this by converting numbers into easy-to-understand signals (like red for caution).

• Protects Public Health

It serves as a preventive measure against lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension by discouraging excessive intake of unhealthy nutrients.

• Increases Transparency

Color-coded labels ensure that manufacturers clearly disclose the health impact of their products, building trust and accountability.

• Empowers All Age Groups

Even children, elderly people, or those with limited literacy can understand the healthiness of a product through simple color codes.

• Supports Government Health Initiatives

It aligns with national efforts to improve public health and reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

• Influences Market Trends

As consumers become more health-conscious, manufacturers may reformulate products to avoid red labels, leading to a healthier food supply.

• Encourages Responsible Marketing

Color coding restricts the aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods, especially to vulnerable groups like children.

Impact on Consumers and the Food Industry of this color code

Let’s learn Impact on Consumers and the Food Industry of this color code.

• Impact on Consumers

1. Empowered Decision Making: The color-coded labels make it easier for consumers to quickly assess the fat, sugar, and salt content in food products. This helps people make healthier choices at a glance, without having to dive into complex nutritional information.
2. Healthier Lifestyles: This helps you identify and avoid foods with excessively unhealthy ingredients, consumers can reduce their risk of chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart issues, which promotes overall better health.
3. Increased Transparency: With the introduction of this color-coded system, it's easier for consumers to compare the nutritional value of different products. This empowers them to choose healthier options that support a balanced diet.
4. Quick and Easy Identification: The use of clear red, amber, and green labels means consumers don’t have to waste time to read the fine print to get the details, they can instantly recognize which products are good, okay, or should be avoided for a healthier lifestyle.

• Impact on the Food Industry

1. New Standards: Food manufacturers will need to adjust their products to comply with these new labeling rules. This could include reducing harmful ingredients like trans fats, sugar, and salt to avoid red labels.
2. Product Reformulation: Companies might need to tweak their recipes to offer healthier alternatives, which could result in a range of products with better nutritional profiles that enter the market.
3. Rise of Healthier Alternatives: As more consumers seek healthier food options, companies that focus on developing nutritious products that align with the new labeling system will be able to meet this growing demand.
4. Building Trust and Loyalty: Brands that adopt these new labels and provide healthier choices will likely gain consumer trust, which can lead to stronger customer loyalty and a positive brand image.
5. Stay Competitive: With health-conscious consumer trends on the rise, food businesses that embrace these regulations and offer healthier alternatives will have a competitive edge in the marketplace.

Is the color code implemented?

the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's (FSSAI) proposed regulation mandating red color coding on front-of-pack labels for high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt (HFSS) packaged foods has not yet been implemented.?

The draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, which includes this red color coding requirement, was published on February 17, 2025. FSSAI has established July 1 as the annual enforcement date for such amendments, provided there is a minimum of 180 days from the date of notification.

Therefore, the earliest possible implementation date for this regulation would be July 1, 2025. Until then, the regulation remains in the draft stage, and food business operators are not yet required to comply with the red color coding requirement

Conclusion

The FSSAI’s new color-coded labeling system is a major step toward promoting healthier eating habits. With rising cases of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, this move helps consumers quickly identify unhealthy packaged foods and make smarter choices.

It also pushes food manufacturers to reduce harmful ingredients and offer healthier options, improving overall food quality. Over time, this initiative supports a more health-aware society where both consumers and brands focus on well-being—a key move toward a healthier India.

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