The Union Health Ministry has termed these items as the ‘new tobacco’ – and aim to control the excessive consumption of junk food amongst the Indian population.
Staying fit and fabulous is what each individual aspires for – but unfortunately not everyone is able to adopt a disciplined regime, which is
The Indian Health Ministry, through the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), is proposing to include warning labels on packaged sweets and snacks, particularly those high in sugar, salt, and saturated fats content.
- These labels would highlight the levels of these ingredients to help consumers make informed choices and address the rise of non-communicable diseases.
- The proposal is currently in the draft stage and will be open for public feedback before being finalized.
In a landmark development, majority of the Indian cities will soon treat the readily available snacks and junk food similar to tobacco – laden with warning sign on its packaging, to signify that your health is at potential risk just for temporary happiness fulfilment.
- This has been carefully thought of by the ministry officials, since there has been a significant rise in the consumption of high-salt and sugar-loaded food items amongst urban population – leading to health hazards such as cholesterol, diabetes, heart attacks, obesity and more.
- Nagpur will be the first city to introduce this concept – with all government institutions in the western city, including AIIMS Nagpur being instructed to install ‘oil and sugar boards’ to alert the local citizens of the sugar, salt and oil content in the junk and popular snacks being sold, such as ‘laddoos, vada pav, samosa, pakoras (fritters), jalebi and others.’
It is a no-brainer that food items containing high sugar, salt and trans-fat are the new ‘tobacco’ and can prove to be as dangerous as cigarette smoking, if consumed in excess without any control and mindfulness. The Union ministry has strictly directed all other ministries, departments and public institutions to display such signage boards – informative posters or digital boards, to increase awareness of the intake of oil and sugar in daily lives and shift their focus towards promoting healthier choices for themselves and their families.
MAJOR CAUSE OF CONCERN
The problem of junk is not confined to big metropolitan cities alone – Across India, more and more people are eating snacks that are deep-fried or made with lots of sugar. As per a CSR Report, health officials have pointed out that by 2050, nearly 45 crore Indians could be overweight or obese if current trends continue. Being overweight is a matter of grave concern since it poses subsequent risk of contracting serious illnesses, which are on a rampant increase in recent times.
Officials say that the new warnings will be displayed prominently in public places, especially in government hospitals and institutions.
- Laddoo, for instance, is a favourite sweet during festivals and celebrations. However, it is high in calories, sugar, and saturated fat. Eating too many laddoos can lead to weight gain, hormonal imbalance, and even food poisoning if they are not prepared hygienically.
- Vada Pav, another extremely popular street food contains a deep-fried potato patty/fritter and is really rich in calories – loaded with trans-fat and salt. Regular consumption can lead to heightened cholesterol level and a potential risk of heart ailments.
- Pakoras, which are an Indian household staple are also deep-fried and made with salt and spicy ingredients – which are known to raise bad cholesterol and cause digestive problems when eaten in excess.
By putting up clear warnings, the government hopes people will think twice before making these snacks a regular part of their diet. The campaign is also part of the ‘Fit India’ movement, which encourages everyone to reduce oil and sugar in daily meals and adopt a healthier lifestyle.
This step is in line with global efforts to tackle lifestyle diseases. Many countries are now considering strict warnings for processed and unhealthy foods, similar to those used for cigarettes. Studies show that such warnings can help people understand the risks and make better choices for their health.
Just how tobacco consumption is injurious to health, intake of food items that are loaded with salt, sugar and trans-fat is equally up there. One must consciously strive to limit the amount of these high-risk elements in the body, and focus on a diet that is balanced, nutritious and sustainable in nature.
The implementation of warning labels on sweets and snacks is a positive step towards promoting healthier eating habits, building a fitness-oriented mindset and addressing the public health challenges associated with NCDs (non-communicable diseases). The public consultation process will allow for further refinement of the proposed regulations and bring on board the citizens – the ones for whom this initiative is being planned.
