Latest news with #AIIMSNagpur
India Today
6 days ago
- Health
- India Today
Samosa vs Health: Will calorie warnings stop India's junk food obsession?
In a first-of-its-kind move, the Health Ministry is rolling out visual health warnings for high-fat and high-sugar foods like samosas and jalebis, starting with AIIMS Nagpur. These warnings will highlight the high levels of oil, sugar, and trans fats in these foods-nutrients closely linked to lifestyle diseases. But are Indians ready to give up their beloved desi treats? We hit the streets to find out what people really think about these new calorie warnings. #HealthMinistry #Samosa #Jalebi #AIIMS #IndiaNews #HighSugar #Healthcare
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Popular Indian street foods like samosas and jalebis to now come with health warnings
The Indian government is poised to roll out health warnings for beloved Indian snacks such as samosas and jalebis to highlight their hidden oil, sugar, and trans-fat content. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has identified 14 snack items, including popular Indian street snacks like samosas, pakodas (fritters), vada pav (a spiced potato patty sandwiched in a bread roll), and some varieties of biscuits, which will be accompanied by clear cautionary notices in cafeterias and public venues, according to a Times of India report. While some media reports stated that the food items itself would carry warning labels, the Union health ministry clarified in a statement that their advisory focused on 'display of boards' and was aimed as a 'behavioural nudge to make people aware about hidden fats and excess sugar in all food products and not specifically to any particular food product'. 📢Advisory issued by Union Health Ministry to display Oil and Sugar Boards in workplaces is an initiative to promote healthier dietary habitsThese Boards serve as behavioural nudges regarding hidden fats and excess sugar in various food productsThe Advisory does not direct… — PIB India (@PIB_India) July 15, 2025 The initiative, which has already begun rolling out in cafeterias of state-run facilities like AIIMS Nagpur, comes amid growing concern over India's escalating lifestyle disease burden. Health experts, the Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Institute of Nutrition have reportedly backed the initiative, stating that it supports a larger effort to combat India's growing epidemic of non‑communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Thanks to Hon'ble @PMOIndia @narendramodi ji's push for healthier workplaces, @MoHFW_INDIA has urged all govt offices to prominently display Sugar Boards. Sharing model Sugar Boards to display in offices. Tag us in your stories/postsDownload: @ICMRDELHI — ICMR - National Institute of Nutrition (@ICMRNIN) July 8, 2025 'It's the beginning of food labelling becoming as serious as cigarette warnings. Sugar and trans fats are the new tobacco. People deserve to know what they're eating,' cardiologist Dr Amar Amale, head of the Nagpur chapter of the Cardiological Society of India, told the Times of India. Dr Rajiv Kovil, head of diabetology at Zandra Healthcare, told IndiaTimes: 'These high-calorie snacks contribute to obesity, which is a gateway to numerous chronic conditions'. He added that they also lead to excessive calorie intake with minimal nutritional value, as well as worsen digestive problems, raise the risk of fatty liver and insulin resistance, and contribute to cognitive decline, mood disorders, inflammation, hormonal imbalance, and an overall weakened immune system. According to the International Diabetes Federation, over 77 million Indians live with type 2 diabetes, or roughly 9 per cent of adults, with diabetes-related complications accounting for nearly 2 per cent of all deaths annually. A Chennai-based study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that individuals consuming high levels of refined grains, like those used in samosas and jalebis, were nearly eight times more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, which includes risk factors such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and abdominal obesity. The Indian government is poised to impose warning boards alongside beloved Indian snacks like samosas and jalebis to highlight their hidden oil, sugar, and trans-fat content (AFP via Getty Images) At the same time, the World Health Organization has flagged trans fats, a common component of Indian street foods, as responsible for over 77,000 cardiovascular deaths each year in India. However, the move has met with significant criticism from nutritionists who have argued that this campaign unfairly targets traditional Indian foods. Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, who has long championed indigenous food instead of Western alternatives, posted a message on her social media questioning why processed snacks continue to be eaten without warning. 'Tobacco is an independent risk factor. It harms irrespective of environment and lifestyle. There is ample proof of that. Samosa and jalebi ne aap ka kya bigada hai? ( What have samosas and jalebis done to deserve this?) If we are serious about health warnings – colas, chips, cookies etc. must get them first. Regulate and tax big food,' she wrote. 'Ultra-processed food products are the real problem. And there is ample proof of that, too,' Diwekar added in her caption. Milind Deora, MP, in a post on social media platform X noted that the Parliamentary Subordinate Legislation Committee is currently reviewing food regulator FSSAI's plans to tackle India's growing obesity crisis. 'We have unanimously advocated uniform regulations across all food categories, including alcohol, so Indian food isn't unfairly targeted while MNCs continue to market Western junk unchecked'. Former parliamentarian Milind Deora also criticised the government's focus in a post on X, formerly Twitter, urging a level playing field so that 'Indian food isn't unfairly targeted while MNCs continue to market Western junk unchecked'. In light of @MoHFW_INDIA's move to inform consumers about ingredients in samosas & jalebis, the Parliamentary Subordinate Legislation Committee, which I chair, is currently reviewing @fssaiindia's plans to tackle India's growing #Obesity crisis, in line with PM @narendramodi ji's… — Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा (@milinddeora) July 14, 2025 Reactions from Indians have been mixed; while some see the warnings as overdue, others have questioned whether the signs will truly change eating habits or serve to stigmatise comfort foods. 'Let's also have them on packaged foods, processed foods, pizzas, burgers, cold storage meats, chips, soft drinks, etc?' wrote writer Kiran Manral. 'You don't eat jalebis and samosas for health. You indulge for delight unlike alcohol or cigarettes or pan masala. While former are indulgences (not necessarily healthy), they don't fit into the same category as products that require health warnings,' wrote a person on X. The bridges fall with unprecedented frequency, people die but the regime worried about health risks of samosa-jalebi-pakora. What a cruel joke it has become. — Urvish Kothari ~ उर्वीश कोठारी (@urvish2020) July 15, 2025 I support a statutory warning on samosa-jalebi. It should say in bold letters: It's criminal to have just — ᴋᴀᴍʟᴇsʜ sɪɴɢʜ / tau (@kamleshksingh) July 14, 2025
The Independent
6 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
India rolls out health warnings for popular Indian street foods like samosas and jalebis
The Indian government is poised to roll out health warnings for beloved Indian snacks such as samosas and jalebis to highlight their hidden oil, sugar, and trans-fat content. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has identified 14 snack items, including popular Indian street snacks like samosas, pakodas (fritters), vada pav (a spiced potato patty sandwiched in a bread roll), and some varieties of biscuits, which will be accompanied by clear cautionary notices in cafeterias and public venues, according to a Times of India report. While some media reports stated that the food items itself would carry warning labels, the Union health ministry clarified in a statement that their advisory focused on 'display of boards' and was aimed as a 'behavioural nudge to make people aware about hidden fats and excess sugar in all food products and not specifically to any particular food product'. The initiative, which has already begun rolling out in cafeterias of state-run facilities like AIIMS Nagpur, comes amid growing concern over India's escalating lifestyle disease burden. Health experts, the Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Institute of Nutrition have reportedly backed the initiative, stating that it supports a larger effort to combat India's growing epidemic of non‑communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. 'It's the beginning of food labelling becoming as serious as cigarette warnings. Sugar and trans fats are the new tobacco. People deserve to know what they're eating,' cardiologist Dr Amar Amale, head of the Nagpur chapter of the Cardiological Society of India, told the Times of India. Dr Rajiv Kovil, head of diabetology at Zandra Healthcare, told IndiaTimes: 'These high-calorie snacks contribute to obesity, which is a gateway to numerous chronic conditions '. He added that they also lead to excessive calorie intake with minimal nutritional value, as well as worsen digestive problems, raise the risk of fatty liver and insulin resistance, and contribute to cognitive decline, mood disorders, inflammation, hormonal imbalance, and an overall weakened immune system. According to the International Diabetes Federation, over 77 million Indians live with type 2 diabetes, or roughly 9 per cent of adults, with diabetes-related complications accounting for nearly 2 per cent of all deaths annually. A Chennai-based study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that individuals consuming high levels of refined grains, like those used in samosas and jalebis, were nearly eight times more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, which includes risk factors such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and abdominal obesity. At the same time, the World Health Organization has flagged trans fats, a common component of Indian street foods, as responsible for over 77,000 cardiovascular deaths each year in India. However, the move has met with significant criticism from nutritionists who have argued that this campaign unfairly targets traditional Indian foods. Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, who has long championed indigenous food instead of Western alternatives, posted a message on her social media questioning why processed snacks continue to be eaten without warning. 'Tobacco is an independent risk factor. It harms irrespective of environment and lifestyle. There is ample proof of that. Samosa and jalebi ne aap ka kya bigada hai? ( What have samosas and jalebis done to deserve this?) If we are serious about health warnings – colas, chips, cookies etc. must get them first. Regulate and tax big food,' she wrote. 'Ultra-processed food products are the real problem. And there is ample proof of that, too,' Diwekar added in her caption. Milind Deora, MP, in a post on social media platform X noted that the Parliamentary Subordinate Legislation Committee is currently reviewing food regulator FSSAI's plans to tackle India's growing obesity crisis. 'We have unanimously advocated uniform regulations across all food categories, including alcohol, so Indian food isn't unfairly targeted while MNCs continue to market Western junk unchecked'. Former parliamentarian Milind Deora also criticised the government's focus in a post on X, formerly Twitter, urging a level playing field so that 'Indian food isn't unfairly targeted while MNCs continue to market Western junk unchecked'. Reactions from Indians have been mixed; while some see the warnings as overdue, others have questioned whether the signs will truly change eating habits or serve to stigmatise comfort foods. 'Let's also have them on packaged foods, processed foods, pizzas, burgers, cold storage meats, chips, soft drinks, etc?' wrote writer Kiran Manral. 'You don't eat jalebis and samosas for health. You indulge for delight unlike alcohol or cigarettes or pan masala. While former are indulgences (not necessarily healthy), they don't fit into the same category as products that require health warnings,' wrote a person on X.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
More than symbolic: on curbing unhealthy food intake
In a welcome move, the Health Ministry has directed all government departments to display oil, sugar and trans-fat content in everyday Indian snacks such as samosas, jalebis, vada pavs and laddoos in a bid to highlight the health risks of their consumption on a regular basis. The campaign will be piloted in AIIMS Nagpur and then rolled out to other cities. The move comes two months after the CBSE directed all affiliated schools to establish 'sugar boards' to monitor and reduce the sugar intake of children. These will list information on the recommended daily sugar intake, the sugar content in commonly consumed foods, health risks associated with high sugar consumption, and healthier dietary alternatives. The initiatives have been driven by studies that provide evidence of increasing obesity trends in India. As in the NFHS data, obesity had increased from nearly 15% to 24% in men and from 12% to nearly 23% in women between 2005-06 and 2019-21. Since the amount of oil and sugar in Indian snacks is not apparent — and, hence, often overlooked — these initiatives will serve to fill the gap and act as 'visual behavioural nudges', much like the pictorial warnings on tobacco products. However, building awareness alone cannot bring about behavioural changes, especially in the absence of essential legislative measures. Surprisingly, while the Health Ministry has targeted Indian snacks, nothing has been done over the years to introduce clear front-of-package labels to caution people about unhealthy packaged food items, and regulate the advertising, marketing and promotion of unhealthy food to children. Also, levying additional tax on food products with high levels of fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) can further reduce consumption, as seen in some countries. As in the national multisectoral action plan for prevention and control of common non-communicable disease (2017-22), the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Regulation was required to be amended for inclusion of front-of-pack labelling and detailed nutrient labelling. The FSSAI (Packaging and Labelling) Regulation was amended in 2020; on July 15, the Supreme Court of India again directed the agency to execute this label on packaged food. For front-of-pack labels on HFSS food and beverage products to become a reality, the FSSAI has to first define the upper limits for sugar, salt and total fat, which have not been finalised and approved so far. A 2022 study found that warning labels outperformed all other forms of front-of-pack labelling in identify unhealthy products. A study by the ICMR-NIN found that warning labels and nutri-star ratings helped deter the consumption of even moderately unhealthy foods. Measures to build awareness without essential legislative measures to curb unhealthy food intake will not be much more than symbolic.
Economic Times
14-07-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Your samosa, jalebi now under govt scanner: New health warning boards to reveal what's inside
Synopsis The health ministry is initiating an awareness campaign by installing "oil and sugar boards" in central institutions like AIIMS Nagpur, highlighting the hidden fat and sugar content in common Indian snacks. This move, akin to tobacco warnings, aims to combat India's growing obesity crisis and promote healthier eating habits. Agencies Samosa, jalebi join cigarettes on health alert list: Govt orders 'oil & sugar' boards The jalebi may soon be served with a side of guilt, and your evening samosa might be accompanied by a health warning. The health ministry has directed all central institutions, including AIIMS Nagpur, to install 'oil and sugar boards' — posters that highlight the hidden fat and sugar content in commonly consumed Indian to a report by The Times of India, this initiative marks the beginning of a broader awareness campaign, likened to tobacco warnings on cigarette packets. The aim is to gradually position junk food risks in public consciousness in a similar boards are set to be displayed in cafeterias and public areas, especially in government institutions, serving as quiet yet firm nudges about the health risks in everyday items like samosas, jalebis, laddoos, pakoras, and vada at AIIMS Nagpur have confirmed receipt of the directive and say implementation is underway.'This is the beginning of food labelling becoming as serious as cigarette warnings,' said Dr Amar Amale, president of the Cardiological Society of India's Nagpur chapter, in a quote to ToI. 'Sugar and trans fats are the new tobacco. People deserve to know what they're eating.' As per ToI, an internal note from the government has linked the move to India's growing obesity crisis. Projections suggest that by 2050, over 44.9 crore Indians could be overweight or obese , the second-highest in the world after the US. Currently, one in five urban adults is overweight, and rising childhood obesity due to poor diet and low physical activity has added to the concern. 'This is not about banning food,' senior diabetologist Dr Sunil Gupta told ToI. 'But if people knew that one gulab jamun might contain five teaspoons of sugar, they might think twice before going for seconds.'Doctors and public health experts see this as part of a larger fight against non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension — many of which are diet-related. The initiative also ties into Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Fit India' campaign and his push for a 10% reduction in national oil Nagpur and other cities, the changes will be visible soon. Rather than imposing bans, the government is opting for bold, visual cues. Near every snack counter, a colourful reminder will quietly say it all: 'Eat wisely. Your future self will thank you.'
