While the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has claimed in the Supreme Court that the framing of front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) regulations would take longer and sought more time, a look at several regulations framed by the authority in the last ten years shows that the average time taken to frame one or make amendments to existing ones has been about two years. In the case of the FOPL, the process has been dragging on for about a decade.After framing guidelines in 2014 which included front-of-pack labelling specifying how much fat, sugar or salt a packaged food contained, when the FSSAI put it in the public domain in 2015, it had stated that the guidelines would be “converted into regulation in due course after following the process of inviting suggestions and comments, suggestions etc. from various stakeholders”. FSSAI put out the draft Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2018 in public domain in April 2018. However, since then there have been half a dozen stakeholder consultations and more drafts put out, but no regulation in sight yet.In response to a public interest petition in the Supreme Court seeking directions to FSSAI to make FOPL regarding high fat, sugar and salt mandatory for packaged foods, the court has been monitoring the process even as the authority has been seeking repeated extensions. In its latest affidavit in court, the FSSAI laid out a long process before the Supreme Court.It told the court that it is “contemplating” a tabular or pictorial representation to reflect high fat sugar or salt on front of pack labelling. It stated that it is a complex matter “requiring further consultation and examination” and hence stakeholder consultation is proposed before deciding on the modalities of FOPL. The latest stakeholder consultation had over 60 food industry and industry association representatives and just two public health experts representing civil society or public health interest.There remain several steps:1. After stakeholder consultations a draft amendment will be prepared2. Draft amendment will be placed before scientific panel (consist of nine eminent food scientists from different government organizations/institutions). Scientific committee comprising of chairpersons of the 21 scientific panels and six independent members, FSSAI and Health ministry “for due consideration”3. To include amendment in the regulation a draft regulation including the proposed amendment/s is placed before the scientific panel concerned4.Recommendations of the scientific panel will be placed before the scientific committee5. On endorsement of the scientific committee it will be placed before FSSAI for approval and if there are substantial changes in the notified draft regulation, another draft regulation will have to be notified6. Once approved by FSSAI, the draft or final regulation is sent to health ministry7. After ministry approval, if it is a draft regulation, it has to be notified in the gazette for public comments giving 60 days’ time and the entire process spelt out above is repeated before it is finally notified.8. In case what the health ministry approves is the final regulation, it has to be sent to the legislative department of the law ministry for vetting followed by approval of the health ministry. The approved final regulation is published in the Gazette of India for implementation.In short, the FSSAI stated in court that the regulation is far from becoming a reality any time soon. However, the longest time FSSAI has taken for framing any of the existing regulations or amendments has been over three years. The only other regulation that the FSSAI has not framed even after seven years is the Food Safety and Standards (Genetically Modified and Engineered Foods) Regulations which have been in the works since 2019.Average time to bring in various regulations/amendments to regulations

UK inflation held steady at 3% in February before the impact of an energy shock linked to war in the Middle East, official figures have revealed.

Economists have said data showing flatlining inflation highlights “the calm before the storm”, with inflation expected to accelerate again in the coming months.

The rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation was unchanged from the level reported in January, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

It was in line with predictions from economists.

However, the steady picture for inflation does not yet reflect the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on the cost of living, with the first attacks taking place at the very end of February.

Oil and gas prices have jumped in recent weeks due to the conflict and other goods prices could also be affected by disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Economists said inflation could lift as high as 4% in the third quarter of 2026 due to the projected surge in energy costs.

ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said: “After last month’s slowdown, annual inflation was unchanged in February as various price movements offset each other.

“The largest upwards driver was the price of clothing, which rose this month but fell a year ago.

“This was offset by falls in petrol costs, with prices collected before the start of the conflict in the Middle East and subsequent rise in crude oil prices.”

The February data showed clothing and footwear prices contributed to inflation, with prices up 0.9% for the month – its highest level since March 2025 – after previously staying flat in January.

However, this upward impact on inflation was cooling inflation in other areas.

Inflation across the services sector eased slightly to 4.3% for the month, dipping to its lowest level for almost four years.

Slower alcohol and tobacco price rises were also a drag on inflation, easing to 3.6% for the month – the lowest since February 2022.

The slowdown was driven by falling inflation for the prices of beers, wines and spirits over the month.

Elsewhere, motor fuel inflation also eased back, with the average price of petrol falling by 1.6p per litre between January and February.

However, petrol and diesel prices have risen significantly since the latest data after the price of crude oil jumped due to the conflict in the Middle East.

Economists said on Wednesday that inflation is now set to accelerate over the coming months as the impact of the conflict feeds into the price of goods.

Stuart Morrison, research manager at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “For businesses across the UK, today’s inflation data represents the calm before the storm.

“UK firms are particularly exposed to the economic impact of the crisis in the Middle East as our electricity prices are tightly tethered to global gas prices.

“This will feed directly into higher costs and renewed inflationary pressure in the months to come.”

Luke Bartholomew, deputy chief economist at Aberdeen, said: “Today’s inflation report is little more than a relic of the world before the Iran conflict.

“While the February report was broadly in line with expectations, and confirms that inflation was on a path back to 2%, the outlook for inflation has radically changed.”

Experts also indicated previous expectations that interest rates would be cut further this year have been scuppered, with many predicting the Bank of England will continue to hold them at 3.75% in an effort to diminish further price rises.

Matt Swannell, chief economic adviser to the EY ITEM Club, said: “With the growth outlook weak, unemployment high and rising, and policy already restrictive, we think a prolonged hold for bank rate is the most likely outcome.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “In an uncertain world we have the right economic plan, taking a responsive and responsible approach to supporting working people in the national interest.

“We’re taking £150 off energy bills and providing targeted support for those facing higher heating oil costs.

“We’re also acting to protect people from unfair price rises if they occur, bring down food prices at the till, and cut red tape to boost long-term energy security – building a stronger, more secure economy.”

Prices of gold and silver witnessed a significant increase in both the global market and Pakistan’s local bullion market, reflecting continued volatility in precious metals.

According to market data, the price of one tola of gold surged by Rs15,200, reaching Rs479,262, while the rate for 10 grams of gold increased by Rs13,031 to settle at Rs410,889.

In the international market, gold prices also recorded a substantial rise, climbing by $152 to reach $4,565 per ounce, indicating strong global demand and investor interest in safe-haven assets.

Meanwhile, silver prices followed a similar upward trend, with one tola increasing by Rs370 to reach Rs7,824 in the local market.

Market analysts attribute the rise in prices to ongoing global economic uncertainties and increased demand for precious metals as a hedge against inflation and currency fluctuations.