UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC seeks clarity on FSSAI’s warning label norms

Question 1

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is constituted as a body corporate, consisting of a Chairperson and twenty-two members, under which one of the following provisions?

Accepted Answer

Section 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

Answer

Section 16 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

Answer

Section 29 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

Answer

Section 92 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

Question 2

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, which frames standards for food and regulates their manufacture, storage and distribution, functions under which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India

Answer

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India

Answer

The Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

Answer

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare

Question 3

With reference to the evolution of front-of-pack labelling norms in India, consider the following statements:
1. The Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 superseded the corresponding regulations of 2011 and, for the first time, made declaration of salt content mandatory.
2. An FSSAI-led expert group first recommended front-of-pack labels on foods high in salt, sugar or fat in 2014.
3. The draft regulations released in 2018 proposed front-of-pack labelling for packaged food in India for the first time and required nutrients exceeding the prescribed thresholds to be highlighted in red.
4. The version of the draft released for public comment in July 2019 was significantly stricter than the 2018 draft.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1 and 4 only

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Answer

1, 3 and 4

Question 4

The draft Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Amendment Regulations that proposed the star-based 'Indian Nutrition Rating' as India's front-of-pack nutrition labelling system were issued in which year?

Accepted Answer

2022

Answer

2018

Answer

2019

Answer

2024

Question 5

In the affidavit placed before the Supreme Court, FSSAI proposed that in the first phase the red hexagonal front-of-pack warning label would apply to a packaged food only if it exceeds the prescribed threshold for at least how many of the specified nutrients of concern?

Accepted Answer

Two

Answer

One

Answer

Three

Answer

Four

Question 6

According to FSSAI's submission before the Supreme Court, the quantitative thresholds for classifying a packaged food as 'high' in the nutrients of concern are to be drawn from guidance issued by which one of the following bodies?

Accepted Answer

The National Institute of Nutrition under the Indian Council of Medical Research

Answer

The National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli

Answer

The Central Food Technological Research Institute under the CSIR, Mysuru

Answer

The National Centre for Disease Control under the Health Ministry, New Delhi

Question 7

In FSSAI's front-of-pack warning label proposal now before the Supreme Court, the expression 'nutrients of concern' refers to which one of the following sets?

Accepted Answer

Added sugar, added saturated fat and salt

Answer

Trans fat, dietary cholesterol and total energy

Answer

Total sugar, total fat and dietary fibre

Answer

Sodium, refined carbohydrate and total energy

Question 8

While hearing the public interest litigation on packaged-food labelling in April 2025, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to finalise front-of-pack labelling guidelines within which one of the following periods?

Accepted Answer

Three months

Answer

Six weeks

Answer

Six months

Answer

One year

Question 9

With reference to the ICMR–National Institute of Nutrition and the dietary reference values invoked in the front-of-pack labelling matter, consider the following statements:
1. The ICMR–National Institute of Nutrition is located at Hyderabad.
2. The updated Dietary Guidelines for Indians relied upon by FSSAI were released in 2024.
3. Those guidelines place the recommended daily intake of sugar at 25 grams.
4. Those guidelines place the recommended daily intake of salt at 10 grams.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

4 only

Answer

1 only

Answer

2 and 3

Answer

3 and 4

Question 10

The Indian Council of Medical Research, the parent body of the National Institute of Nutrition, functions under which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Answer

The Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology

Answer

The Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology

Answer

The Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs

Question 11

The black octagonal warning symbol that declares a product 'high in' a nutrient and additionally carries the words 'Ministry of Health' was first introduced under a food labelling law of which country and in which year?

Accepted Answer

Chile, in 2016

Answer

Mexico, in 2016

Answer

France, in 2017

Answer

Israel, in 2017

Question 12

Under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, the intensified drive for screening all individuals aged 30 years and above for diabetes, hypertension and three common cancers is delivered principally through which one of the following platforms?

Accepted Answer

Ayushman Arogya Mandirs

Answer

District Early Intervention Centres

Answer

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras

Answer

Urban Primary Health Centres under NUHM

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC seeks clarity on FSSAI’s warning label norms

Q1. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is constituted as a body corporate, consisting of a Chairperson and twenty-two members, under which one of the following provisions?

Q2. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, which frames standards for food and regulates their manufacture, storage and distribution, functions under which one of the following?

Q4. The draft Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Amendment Regulations that proposed the star-based 'Indian Nutrition Rating' as India's front-of-pack nutrition labelling system were issued in which year?

Q5. In the affidavit placed before the Supreme Court, FSSAI proposed that in the first phase the red hexagonal front-of-pack warning label would apply to a packaged food only if it exceeds the prescribed threshold for at least how many of the specified nutrients of concern?

Q6. According to FSSAI's submission before the Supreme Court, the quantitative thresholds for classifying a packaged food as 'high' in the nutrients of concern are to be drawn from guidance issued by which one of the following bodies?

Q7. In FSSAI's front-of-pack warning label proposal now before the Supreme Court, the expression 'nutrients of concern' refers to which one of the following sets?

Q8. While hearing the public interest litigation on packaged-food labelling in April 2025, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to finalise front-of-pack labelling guidelines within which one of the following periods?

Q10. The Indian Council of Medical Research, the parent body of the National Institute of Nutrition, functions under which one of the following?

Q11. The black octagonal warning symbol that declares a product 'high in' a nutrient and additionally carries the words 'Ministry of Health' was first introduced under a food labelling law of which country and in which year?

Q12. Under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, the intensified drive for screening all individuals aged 30 years and above for diabetes, hypertension and three common cancers is delivered principally through which one of the following platforms?