The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has asked the Madras High Court to revisit its order mandating bold red warnings on bottled water, sugar and salt about possible micro/nano plastic contamination. The agency argues that scientific evidence is still inconclusive and such labeling could spark unnecessary public panic.

  • FSSAI has filed a review petition against the labeling order
  • Current research on health impacts of micro/nano plastics remains inconclusive
  • Labeling may cause public panic and disrupt supply chains

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) submitted an application before a special Division Bench of the Madras High Court, seeking a review of the February 2026 order that requires bold red warnings on PET bottles of drinking water and plastic packs of sugar and salt stating, “This water/sugar/salt may contain micro/nano plastics.”

FSSAI contends that all available scientific literature and review reports do not conclusively demonstrate harmful effects of micro‑ or nano‑plastics on human health. The authority warns that imposing such a directive could generate “public panic” and disrupt the food supply chain.

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The court’s February 6, 2026 direction was based on a report that merely compiled various research papers worldwide on micro/nano plastics as emerging contaminants. FSSAI highlighted that even this review fails to establish a definitive health risk.

Earlier, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had taken note of a 2022 Hindu article titled “Detecting microplastics in human blood” and directed the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to conduct further studies. FSSAI has written twice to ICMR requesting the research, but no response has been received to date.

FSSAI also pointed out that no country has yet enacted specific regulations on micro‑ and nano‑plastics, and that the labeling requirement would impose an additional burden on Food Business Operators (FBOs). It could even cause confusion among foreign nationals arriving in India.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the debate over micro‑plastic labeling reflects a broader global tension between precautionary consumer information and the risk of creating panic when scientific consensus is lacking. The outcome could set a precedent for how emerging contaminants are communicated on food packages across India and potentially influence international standards.

“Without clear scientific proof, such warning labels can erode consumer confidence rather than protect public health,” says Dr. Ananya Rao, food science expert.
Did You Know?: The World Health Organization in 2023 stated that the average daily intake of microplastics from food does not yet show a definitive health risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Are there any proven health risks associated with micro‑plastics?

A: Current research is inconclusive; some studies suggest potential concerns, but there is no definitive evidence of harm.

Q2: If the warning label is removed, will consumers be at risk?

A: At present, there is no solid scientific basis to claim that removing the label would expose consumers to immediate health hazards.