In a landmark move, the Economic Survey 2024-25 has explicitly highlighted the urgent need to regulate ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in India, citing their detrimental impact on public health. The Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi), a national think tank comprising independent experts on public health and nutrition, has lauded the survey’s recommendations, calling for immediate action to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) linked to UPF consumption.
The survey underscores that UPFs, which include products like sweetened breakfast cereals, instant noodles, chips, soft drinks, and packaged cookies, are often high in unhealthy fats, salt, and sugar (HFSS). These products have been directly linked to a surge in obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and even mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
The survey reveals alarming growth in UPF consumption, with retail sales in this segment growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.7% between 2011 and 2021. India’s UPF market skyrocketed from USD 900 million in 2006 to over USD 37.9 billion in 2019, despite a temporary dip during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2022-23, rural households spend 9.6% of their food budget on UPFs, while urban households spend 10.64%.
The survey cites extensive scientific evidence linking UPF consumption to 32 adverse health outcomes, including mortality, cancer, and chronic conditions like obesity, type-2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. It also highlights successful policies in countries like Mexico, Chile, and the UK, which have implemented taxes on unhealthy foods, front-of-pack warning labels (FOPL), and advertising restrictions to curb UPF consumption. A 22-country study cited in the survey shows that corporate self-regulation has failed to curb UPF marketing, emphasizing the need for government intervention.
The Economic Survey 2024-25 proposes several measures to tackle the UPF crisis, including the introduction of mandatory front-of-pack warning labels (FOPL) to inform consumers about HFSS content, stricter regulations on UPF advertisements, particularly those targeting children under 18, and imposing higher taxes on UPFs, especially heavily advertised products. It also recommends launching educational initiatives in schools and colleges to raise awareness about the risks of UPFs and adopting a standardized definition of UPFs in line with the Dietary Guidelines of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN).
NAPi has strongly endorsed the survey’s recommendations, urging policymakers to act swiftly. “If India is to realize the potential of its youthful population, their physical, mental, and emotional health must be prioritized,” said a NAPi spokesperson. “The evidence is clear: UPFs are a major contributor to the rising burden of NCDs. We cannot afford to delay action.”
NAPi has called for the immediate adoption of mandatory FOPL for HFSS foods, amendments to the Advertisement Code and Norms of Journalistic Conduct 2022 to ban UPF advertisements targeting children, the formation of an empowered group to monitor and implement these measures, and the allocation of budgetary provisions to support these initiatives.
NAPi has urged Members of Parliament, the Parliamentary Committee on Health, and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to collaborate across party lines to translate the survey’s recommendations into actionable policies. “Strong policies are essential to achieving the targets of the National Multi-sector Action Plan to control NCDs and halt the rise of obesity and diabetes by 2025,” the spokesperson added.
As India grapples with the dual burden of malnutrition and NCDs, the Economic Survey 2024-25’s focus on regulating UPFs marks a critical step toward safeguarding public health. With NAPi’s support, the call for immediate regulatory action has gained momentum, offering hope for a healthier future for millions of Indians.
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