It is rare for a country’s politicians to advise the public regarding their dietary habits. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi frequently addresses the nation to provide counsel on disease prevention and healthy eating. His advice exerts a positive influence on the public psyche, and people endeavour to follow it to the best of their ability.
Shortly after assuming office in 2014, the PM urged the public to prioritise cleanliness—an appeal that yielded highly positive results. Some time ago, Modi advised people to reduce their consumption of cooking oil by at least 10 per cent, owing to the country’s growing problem of obesity.
On 29 March, while addressing the nation on his popular radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ he asked people to cut down on sugar in their diets. Notably, excessive sugar consumption in our country is contributing to the rise of diabetes and various other diseases.
India has become a global hotspot for diabetes, with estimates suggesting more than 100 million people have the condition and another 136 million are pre-diabetic, largely driven by dietary changes and rising obesity.
Experts both within our country and globally have been consistently offering similar advice. Several years ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning that sugary drinks are a major source of “free sugars” in diets worldwide. They contribute to obesity, Type 2 diabetes and tooth decay. WHO states that a single can of soda can contain 40 grams (that is, nearly 10 teaspoons) of sugar, which is already near or above safe limits.
WHO advises people to exercise caution regarding packaged beverages, as they often contain sugar levels far exceeding the healthy level. We are well aware that a wide variety of packaged food products are currently being sold in the market, many of which contain excessive amounts of sugar, fat, and salt. Typically, companies deliberately use excessive quantities of sugar, saturated fats and salt in these products to create an addictive appeal, thereby ensuring that consumers become hooked and purchase these items repeatedly.
For instance, excessive sugar is found in cola drinks and other soft drinks produced by major corporations, and even in packaged products marketed under the guise of “fruit juices”, which normally contain more sugar than real juice. Similarly, various other packaged foods contain fat levels that are far higher than the healthy level.
Furthermore, salt is also deliberately used in excess to foster addiction among consumers—particularly among impressionable children. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all agencies—which bear the responsibility of protecting consumers from substances harmful to health in food products—to formulate effective regulations to safeguard consumers against such substances.
In India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the agency entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining and ensuring food safety and standards. Surprisingly, this agency has so far failed to resolve these issues, and unhealthy food continues to be sold in the market without any checks.
Non-communicable diseases spreading like epidemic
Today, India faces a public health crisis that is silently spreading rapidly. Rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are no longer confined solely to affluent urban segments of society. They are now permeating all sections of society, including children and the youth. The government acknowledges that a primary cause of this crisis is the increasing consumption of pre-packaged food products high in fats, sugar, and salt—technically referred to as ‘HFSS’.
Recent estimates indicate a steady rise in overweight and obesity rates among Indian adults and adolescents, even as India already holds the dubious distinction of having the world’s largest population of diabetes patients. Additionally, over the past 15 years, there has been a staggering surge—approximately 40-fold—in the sales of packaged and ultra-processed food products. This surge is driven by aggressive marketing and the easy availability of these products in every corner of India.
Consumers are often unaware of the excessive amounts of sugar, salt, or unhealthy fats contained in these products; indeed, they are often misled into believing that these constitute healthy and authentic food. Even when consumers are aware, deciphering the nutritional information provided on the back of the package remains a challenge—particularly when one has only a few seconds to comprehend it.
For this very reason, public health experts across the country are strongly advocating for ‘Front-of-Pack Labelling’ (FoPL). Under this initiative, easy-to-understand warning labels are placed on the front of food packages to alert consumers when a product contains excessive amounts of harmful nutrients, such as sugar, salt, or unhealthy fats.
Many countries have implemented such measures and have observed improvements in consumer awareness and purchasing behaviour.
Also read: What the world can learn from India’s food plate
Supreme Court’s directions
The matter has now reached the Supreme Court of India, which has emphasised the importance of clear warning labels that can effectively inform consumers. Supreme Court on 10 February suggested, “That on the wrapper/packet of any pre-packaged food product, there must be warning in the form of front-of-package labelling….”
The Supreme Court further observed that FoPL is something which is internationally prevalent and directed FSSAI to revert to the top court within four weeks.
While the Supreme Court’s direction is clear, it is surprising that the regulatory process continues to face repeated delays. The FSSAI has been conducting further stakeholder consultations, with a majority representing the industry and very few representing the consumers.
Even after the Supreme Court’s directions, FSSAI fails to comply and is still hobbling with the industry, which obviously wouldn’t like the FoPL warning. They are, in reality, working against the public interest, as they are unwilling to incorporate warning labels under the FoPL framework; instead, they are promoting a ‘star rating’ system—a move that will only further confuse consumers. Evidently, any food product—even if it poses a health risk—will inevitably get a star rating.
Consequently, consumers will be unable to distinguish between harmful and healthy foods, which is an unacceptable outcome.
This is happening despite the FSS Act’s general principles, which demand the opposite. While defining the role of FSSAI, FSS Act 2006, general principles clearly state, 18.2(c) undertake risk assessment based on the available scientific evidence and in an independent, objective and transparent manner; 18.2(d) ensure that there is open and transparent public consultation, directly or through representative bodies free from conflicts of interest including all levels of panchayats, during the preparation, evaluation and revision of regulations…”
Should the health of millions of Indian consumers, especially children, be prioritised or the commercial concerns of the food industry?
The key question before us is simple: Whose interest should guide food policy in India? The credibility of India’s food regulatory system depends on the answer to this question.
Warning alerts on foods high in fat, sugar and salt, as the SC has observed, are a health right of citizens so that they can make informed choices and protect their health. We must understand that Front-of-pack warning labels are not an anti-industry measure. They are a pro-consumer and pro-public health measure. Responsible companies should welcome transparency and consumer awareness.
At this critical juncture, FSSAI must demonstrate the courage and independence expected of a national regulator. India cannot afford another decade of delay while diet-related diseases continue to rise. The time has come for decisive action to put a warning on HFSS food products.
Ashwani Mahajan is National Co-Convener of Swadeshi Jagran Manch and a former professor at PGDAV College, University of Delhi. He tweets @ashwani_mahajan. Views are personal.
(Edited by Saptak Datta)