New Delhi, Aug. 23 -- On 13 August, the Supreme Court slammed India's food regulator for delaying the implementation of front-of-the-pack warning labels on junk food, asking the Centre to take a final decision within a fortnight. The court also rejected the stance that the country cannot implement global best practices.

Warning labels, which alert consumers to high sugar, salt, and fat content in ultra-processed foods (UPF), are yet to be implemented, though India began deliberations over a decade ago.

Mint explains the significance of the latest court order and why it is crucial to combat childhood obesity and the surge in non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

In its latest order, the apex court directed the Food S...