India’s food regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), told the Supreme Court on Thursday that it is open to introducing stricter food labelling requirements than those proposed earlier, following concerns that its two-phased approach could delay health warnings on packaged food products.

The FSSAI had proposed last month that packaged food products exceeding prescribed limits for at least two of three nutrients — added sugar, salt and saturated fat — should carry red-coloured hexagonal warning labels. Under the proposal, stricter labelling requirements would be introduced in a second phase.

The proposal drew criticism from health activists, who argued that the phased approach could be too lenient and delay warnings for consumers about products containing high levels of potentially harmful ingredients.

During Thursday’s hearing, the Supreme Court questioned the rationale behind adopting a two-phased framework. In response, the FSSAI indicated that it was willing to consider implementing stricter warning labels from the outset.

The regulator said this could include requiring warning labels on products that exceed the prescribed threshold for even one of the three ingredients — added sugar, salt or saturated fat — rather than requiring products to exceed limits in at least two categories.

The court emphasized the importance of stronger measures to protect public health, particularly children. “We are concerned about the health of people especially growing children. Everyone should come forward in this cause which is in the national interest,” said a bench led by Justice JB Pardiwala.

The Supreme Court has asked all parties involved to examine the order to be passed later on Thursday and submit their suggestions ahead of the next hearing on September 28.

The proceedings come amid growing attention on front-of-pack nutrition labelling in India, with health advocates pushing for clearer and more prominent warnings to help consumers identify products high in sugar, salt and saturated fat.