Nestle has said food and beverage companies should be consulted when India develops front-of-pack health labelling rules for products high in sugar, salt and fat, arguing that the process should be carried out on a scientific basis.
The discussion comes as India continues to consider front-facing warning labels on packaged foods and drinks. According to industry estimates, nearly 80% of products in India’s packaged food and beverage market, valued at more than $100 billion, could be classified as high in fat, sugar and salt.
Nestle Chief Executive Officer Philipp Navratil told India’s Economic Times newspaper that the company supports front-of-pack labelling for such products but believes manufacturers should have an opportunity to contribute to the discussion.
“It’s always good to have a voice from companies; there might be different views (on the subject),” Navratil said in the interview published on Thursday.
He also said companies could contribute to the debate by helping ensure any system is developed on a scientific basis.
Activists Oppose Industry Participation in Rulemaking
Health activists have opposed the idea of involving companies in decisions on labelling rules.
Dr. Arun Gupta, convenor of Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest, a national think tank on nutrition, said Nestle’s call for industry participation was an attempt to weaken public health policy. He noted that warning labels have been used in Europe for years while trade bodies representing food companies opposed similar measures in India.
Nestle did not respond to requests for further comment.
The issue has also generated reactions from consumers and health experts on social media following reports about the absence of front-of-pack warning labels in India. Companies such as Nestle and Coca-Cola have voluntarily used similar labels on products sold in several European markets for years.
Product Differences Draw Consumer Attention
The debate has also focused attention on differences in products sold in various markets.
According to reports, manufacturers produce different versions of products to comply with local regulations, consumer preferences and spending capacity.
One example cited was Fanta. A can sold in London contains 63 calories, while the same-sized product sold in India contains 185 calories and three times as much sugar.
Indian entrepreneur Ravisutanjani Kumar criticised the situation in a post on X, writing: “Why Global Brands Take Indian Users Lightly? This is Terrible.”
Food writer Vir Sanghvi also addressed the issue in a column, stating that healthier ingredients could increase production costs and product prices, but questioned whether that would necessarily be negative from a health perspective.
Regulatory Debate Continues Over Warning Labels
India’s government has for years explored the introduction of warning labels on food packaging. However, a proposal was dropped after opposition from companies such as Coca-Cola and industry groups representing companies including Nestle.
The matter has also reached India’s Supreme Court. After hearing pleas from health activists, the court criticised delays and called for the implementation of front-facing warning labels.
Meanwhile, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) did not respond to Reuters queries on the issue.
The debate is taking place alongside increased attention to food safety matters in India, including stricter enforcement actions by regulators. The discussion over front-of-pack labelling remains focused on how nutritional information should be presented to consumers on packaged food and beverage products.
Nestle and India’s Food Labelling Debate
The position has attracted criticism from public-health advocates. Some campaigners argue that companies should not have a major influence over rules intended to protect consumers. The debate comes after earlier efforts to introduce stronger warning labels faced opposition from major food and beverage companies, including Nestle.
Nestle Already Uses Nutrition Information
Nestle already provides certain nutritional information on several products sold in India, including details on calories and recommended daily intake. The company has also said it has been working to reduce levels of sugar, fat and sodium in some products.
