Delhi High Court Upholds FSSAI's Stricter Warning Norms on Pan Masala Packaging

The Delhi High Court has affirmed FSSAI's decision to increase the statutory health warning size on pan masala packages to 50% of the front label. The court dismissed a pan masala manufacturer’s petition against the regulation, stating it serves the larger public interest in health despite the individual loss to manufacturers.

The Delhi High Court has upheld the food safety regulator FSSAI's decision to enlarge the statutory health warnings on pan masala packages, raising it to 50% of the front label from the previous 3 mm size.

A bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan dismissed a petition by Dharampal Satyapal Ltd, a pan masala manufacturer, which argued against the FSSAI’s October 2022 notification. The court emphasized that the legislative intent prioritizes public health over individual business losses.

In its judgment dated July 9, the court also denied further time for the petitioner to transition to new packaging requirements, noting that adequate time had already been granted.