The label you can't read: food preservatives, consumer awareness and regulatory accountability in India – preservatives and labelling awareness in India

Abstract

India's expanding processed-food market relies heavily on chemical preservatives, colourants, and other additives, yet many Indian consumers cannot reliably interpret this information on food labels, and enforcement of labeling and safety standards remains inconsistent for low-cost products. This narrative review synthesises evidence on preservatives commonly used in Indian food, associated health evidence, the regulatory and labeling framework administered by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), documented adulteration patterns, and consumer label literacy, drawing on peer-reviewed literature, FSSAI regulatory documents, Codex Alimentarius standards, and recent government and judicial records (2018–2026). Preservatives such as sodium benzoate, sulphites, nitrates/nitrites, and synthetic antioxidants and colourants are broadly recognised as safe within prescribed limits, yet excessive or combined intake has been linked to oxidative stress, endocrine and reproductive effects, and neurobehavioural changes in children. Indian surveillance data show persistently high rates of substandard and adulterated food, disproportionately affecting economically vulnerable consumers. Studies of Indian consumers show that while awareness that food labels exist is high, functional comprehension of ingredient lists, additive codes, and preservative disclosures remains low, and is strongly patterned by education, income, and urban rural residence. India's labelling regulations are comprehensive on paper, but enforcement capacity, front of pack warning systems, and public label literacy lag behind comparable jurisdictions. Strengthening preservative safety oversight, mandating simplified vernacular front-of-pack warnings, and investing in consumer health literacy programmes are identified as priority interventions to close this gap in India.