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India’s Obesity Crisis and Regulating Ultra-Processed Foods
Context:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to tackle obesity and the 2025 Economic Survey‘s recommendation for imposing a ‘health tax’ on ultra-processed foods (UPFs), it points out that India’s food marketing regulations are often ambiguous, industry-friendly, and ineffective.
Obesity Crisis in India
- One in four adult Indians is obese, and a similar proportion suffers from diabetes or pre-diabetes.
- This highlights the urgency of addressing obesity and related health issues through effective regulation of food marketing and labelling.
Regulatory Gaps and Challenges
- Weak Labelling Framework: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has failed to implement stringent labelling regulations since 2017. In 2022, FSSAI introduced the Indian Nutrition Rating (Health Star System) modelled on Australia’s less effective framework.
- Flaws in the Star System:
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- Misleading Labels: Unhealthy UPFs like biscuits or soft drinks can still receive two stars, misleading consumers.
- Dominance of Industry Influence: Industry representatives influenced decisions, sidelining scientific experts.
- Ignored Proposals: FSSAI overlooked its 2021 draft for mandatory ‘traffic light’ warning labels.
- Global Best Practices Ignored: Chile’s ‘High In’ Labels: Reduced UPF consumption by 24% using bold, front-of-pack warnings. India still lacks these straightforward, impactful labels.
- Ambiguous Advertising Regulations: Existing regulations under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and other laws are subjective and ineffective.
- Key Gaps:
- No clear definition of HFSS (High Fat, Sugar, Salt) or UPFs.
- Advertisements can avoid disclosing sugar or salt content.
- Unregulated advertising continues to target vulnerable groups like children.
- Key Gaps:
Why Urgent Action is Essential?
- Health and Financial Impact: Without strong regulations, the goal of reducing obesity by 2025 is at risk.
- Environmental Consideration: Reducing food waste and unhealthy consumption patterns can also mitigate environmental damage.
- Protecting Children and Youth: Restricting misleading advertisements is crucial to safeguarding the health of younger generations.
Way Forward
- Scrap the Health Star System: Replace with mandatory ‘high in’ warning labels for HFSS and UPF products. Align with WHO SEARO and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines.
- Define Clear Nutrient Thresholds: Set specific limits for sugar, salt, and fat to classify foods as HFSS.
- Tighten Advertising Regulations: Amend existing laws or draft new, unified legislation to regulate or ban UPF/HFSS advertisements. Ensure the definition of misleading advertisements includes non-disclosure of harmful nutritional information.
- National Awareness Campaign: Launch mass media campaigns in regional languages to highlight the health risks of UPFs.
