Samosa, jalebis, other Indian popular snacks to soon carry health warnings, says Health Ministry

In an effort to curb the growing burden of lifestyle diseases across the country, popular Indian snacks — such as samosas, jalebis, pakoras, vada pav, and chai biscuits — will soon carry health warnings, the Union Health Ministry said. This will take the form of a calorie count, highlighting the high levels of oil, sugar, and trans fats in these foods.

The campaign is being rolled out first in Nagpur, where the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) will serve as the pilot location for the initiative. The direction by the Ministry notes that cafeterias and public eating spaces on the campus will display easy-to-read warning boards next to food counters.

“AIIMS, Nagpur will now see the calorie count poster beside popular food stalls with clear information about sugar, fat, and trans-fat content. It will outline long-term health risks from frequent consumption. These warnings are designed to be direct and create awareness. The goal is to promote moderation, not restriction. The campaign is expected to expand to other cities later this year and we hope that this step will encourage people to make more mindful food choices,’‘ said a senior health official. 

Encouraging healthy choices

Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava recently issued a direction to departments and agencies under various Ministries, instructing them to install oil and sugar board displays in the form of digital or static posters in common areas such as cafeterias, lobbies, and meeting rooms, to raise awareness on harmful consumption. They will print health messages on all official stationery and publications to reinforce daily reminders on fighting obesity as well.

They were also asked to promote healthy meals and physical activity in their offices by providing nutritious, healthier food options — including more fruits, vegetables, and low-fat options, while limiting the availability of sugary drinks and high-fat snacks — and starting active workplace initiatives, such as encouraging the use of stairs, organising short exercise breaks, and facilitating walking routes. 

She added that these visual cues and practical tips are part of a larger national movement to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases. 

High obesity levels

According to a recent study published in The Lancet, nearly 45 crore Indians could be overweight or obese by 2050. This means that, by mid-century, India is likely to have the second-highest number of overweight and obese people in the world, after China.  

The World Health Organisation (WHO) noted that the current food environment in which many people live, work, and spend their daily lives consists of highly processed and readily available foods high in unhealthy fats, sugars, and sodium. Many of these foods are also heavily marketed and relatively cheap. As a result, consumers are often challenged to make healthy food-related decisions. Unhealthy diets are now a leading global public health risk, contributing to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancers.