Countries weigh new food labelling and ad rules, from India to UK
A roundup of food labelling and advertising developments across several countries, including India's push to flag excess sugar, salt and fat, a UK ad ban over meal-replacement claims, and Malaysia's proposed grading system.
What happened
India has told food brands to flag excess use of sugar, salt and fat on product packaging, according to Nikkei Asia.2
India's Supreme Court is separately examining food labelling requirements concerning sugar, salt and fat, according to The Economic Times.4
In the UK, an advertising watchdog banned a Huel meal-replacement shake ad for suggesting the product could replace all meals; the watchdog said viewers could assume this was nutritionally appropriate, while the ad was also described as encouraging "irresponsible" dietary practices.13
Separately, Malaysia is reportedly planning an A-to-D food grading system for packaged food and drinks intended to steer manufacturers and consumers toward healthier choices, while Singapore's CNA examined how some processed meats marketed as nitrite-free may still contain nitrites.56
What's agreed
Reported consistently by outlets in more than one region.
Where accounts differ
Each account is attributed to who makes it. We do not judge between them.
How it's framed
What each perspective puts first, based on headlines and summaries.
| Perspective | How it reads | What it puts first |
|---|---|---|
| Outlets covering India's regulatory pushSouth Asia | Coverage of India's domestic regulatory process for food labelling: The Economic Times (India) centers on the Supreme Court's scrutiny of standards, while Nikkei Asia (Japan) reports on the government directive to flag excess sugar, salt and fat.24 | Supreme Court scrutiny, government directive, excess sugar, salt, fat |
| European public broadcaster and African privately owned outlet on UK ad banEurope | Both report on the UK advertising watchdog's ban of a Huel meal-replacement ad. S3 says the watchdog found viewers could assume that replacing all normal food with Huel was nutritionally appropriate; S1 describes the ad as encouraging or condoning what it calls "irresponsible" dietary practices.13 | advertising watchdog ruling, nutritional adequacy, irresponsible dietary practices |
| Southeast Asian outlets on regional labelling developmentsSoutheast Asia | Malay Mail reports on Malaysia's proposed A-to-D grading system for packaged food and drinks intended to guide manufacturers and consumers toward healthier choices. Singapore's CNA examines discrepancies between "nitrite-free" marketing claims and actual nitrite content in some processed meats.56 | A-to-D grading system, healthier choices, nitrite-free claims, labelling confusion |
What the coverage leaves out
- None of the outlets reviewed reported the specific details of India's new labelling requirements, such as thresholds for what counts as excess sugar, salt or fat, or a timeline for implementation.
- None of the outlets reviewed reported industry or food brand reactions to India's directive or the Supreme Court's review.
- None of the outlets reviewed reported how the UK Huel ad ban, Malaysia's grading system and India's labelling push might relate to each other or to any broader international standard.
Why it matters
Food labelling rules are being revisited in several countries as regulators seek to address concerns about misleading claims and excessive sugar, salt and fat content in packaged food.245
What to watch
- Further details on India's labelling directive and the Supreme Court's review, including any specific thresholds or compliance deadlines.
- Whether Malaysia's proposed A-to-D grading system is formally adopted.
Sources (6)
Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.
Europe
- 3BBC News BusinessGBPublic broadcaster
Huel ad banned for suggesting its products could replace all conventional food
Africa
- 1MyJoyOnlineGHPrivate
Huel ad banned for suggesting its products could replace all meals
South Asia
- 4The Economic TimesINPrivate
East Asia
- 2Nikkei AsiaJPPrivate
India tells food brands to flag excess use of sugar, salt, fat on package