PIB busts myth: No health warnings issued on samosas and jalebis
Recently, India's beloved street snacks came under scrutiny, when the Ministry of Health directed all central government institutions to install prominent "oil and sugar boards", that warns citizens about the hidden fat and sugar content in everyday foods like samosas, jalebis, vada pavs.
In a post on X, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) confirmed receiving the notice, lauding the Centre for the initiative. The research institute also shared its own 'Sugar Board' that will be displayed in its offices.
All of this led to misleading news circulations where sugar and trans fats were considered the new tobacco. The intent of the move was to help inform people about what they eat and how they should eat.
As soon as the news spread, the Press Information Bureau (PIB), fact checking wing on Tuesday said that the Union health ministry did not advise vendors to carry warning labels on popular Indian snacks and desserts.
"The advisory of the Union Health Ministry does not carry any warning labels on food products sold by vendors, and has not been selective towards Indian snacks. Some media reports claim that the @MoHFW_INDIA has issued a health warning on food products such as samosas, jalebis, and laddoo," the PIB posted on X.
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The PIB called the government's issue a general advisory a "behavioral nudge to make people aware of hidden fats and excess sugar in all food products, and not specially to any particular food products."
The clarification followed after the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare rolled out a public health initiative aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles and combating the growing burden of obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and heart disease.
As per reports, the details in a letter issued by Union Healthy Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said, "We are proposing the display of Sugar and Oil Boards as an initiative to promote healthier dietary habits in various settings. These boards serve as visual behavioural nudges in schools, offices, public institutions, etc., displaying key information about hidden fats and sugars in everyday foods."
"In the same spirit, I request you to issue directions kindly to Departments/Offices/autonomous bodies and other public institutions/organisations under your Ministry to install Oil and Sugar Board displays (Digital/ Static posters etc) in common areas (cafeterias, lobbies, meeting rooms and other public spaces) to raise awareness on harmful consumption," the letter read.
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