Latest news with #AmarAmale
NDTV
2 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
"Samosa And Jalebi Ne Aap Ka Kya Bigada Hai," Rujuta Diwekar Reacts To 'Sugar And Oil Boards' Initiative
Some of the most popular Indian snacks, like samosas and jalebis, have come under the scanner for their reported health impacts. In a new move, the health ministry has urged all government institutions to display sugar, oil and fat boards in their cafeterias and public areas like corridors. These calorie count posters will provide clear information about sugar, oil and fat content and health risks associated with frequent consumption of popular snacks, including samosa, jalebi, pakora, vada pav, burger, pizza, and French fries. These warnings aim to promote moderate consumption and encourage people to make more mindful food choices. However, the initiative has left health experts divided, with some praising the move to fight rising obesity and lifestyle diseases in India. In contrast, others argued that we need to target packaged and processed foods more than popular Indian snacks. Also Read:Laddoo, Vada Pav, Pakora And More To Carry Health Alerts, "As Serious As Cigarette Warnings" Amar Amale, president of the Cardiological Society of India's Nagpur chapter, said, "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," quoted the Times of India. Reacting to the sudden focus on samosa-jalebi's health impact, celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar took to her Instagram handle and shared her point of view. She wrote, "Tobacco is an independent risk factor. It harms irrespective of the environment and lifestyle. There is ample proof of that. Samosa and jalebi ne aap ka kya bigada hai?" Also Read:What Are Sugar And Fat Boards? Why Is The Government Pushing Them In Indian Institutions Sharing her suggestion on where to focus first, she continued, "If we are serious about health warnings - colas, chips, cookies, etc, must get them first. Regulate and tax big food." In the caption, she added, "Ultra-processed food products are the real problem. And there is ample proof of that, too." Many social media users and samosa-jalebi fans shared their agreement in the comments section: A foodie said, "It is to make chai and pyaaz pakora guilt-free." One opined, "I was waiting for your comment on this. I am from Indore. Samosa Jalebi is our staple food." A user expressed, "Can't agree more! Our Indian snacks are indulgences that our DNA knows. The dead packaged food and whatnot are the real culprits and need strong labels of warnings." Another added, "Yeah...I was zapped when I saw the news about samosas/jalebis! Isn't it time someone gave a reality check about all the processed foods, like you mentioned?" What do you think of this debate on Indian snacks vs ultra-processed foods? Share your views in the comments below.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
Explained: What Are Sugar And Fat Boards? Why Is The Government Pushing Them In Indian Institutions
For many office-goers, tea breaks mean a plate of samosa, maybe a biscuit or two, and a soft drink on a stressful day. But now, a new government push could change the way you snack at work. The Ministry of Health has urged all central government offices to put up sugar and fat boards to help people make better food choices. These boards highlight the sugar and fat content in everyday snacks like jalebi, milkshakes, noodles and more. The aim is simple: create awareness in workplaces and encourage healthier eating habits. Why Are Sugar and Fat Boards Being Introduced in Government Offices? The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), through the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), has released posters that show the high levels of sugar and fat in common food items. These posters are designed for use in government canteens and public areas. The idea is to visually inform people about what they are eating. Offices like AIIMS Nagpur have already started putting these up, and more government offices are expected to follow. According to Amar Amale, President of the Cardiological Society of India's Nagpur chapter, "Sugar and trans fats are the new tobacco. People deserve to know what they are eating," quoted the Times of India. What Do These Boards Show and Why Does It Matter? The sugar and fat boards are simple, visual and informative. They list popular Indian foods like samosa, biscuits, pav bhaji, cold drinks, gulab jamun and more. Alongside each item, they show how much sugar and fat it contains. For example, one gulab jamun could carry more sugar than your daily recommended limit. 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/posts Download: @ICMRDELHI — ICMR - National Institute of Nutrition (@ICMRNIN) July 8, 2025 Reducing fat intake can help reduce risk of obesity & NCDs. Here's how you can cut fat without even realising it! A step toward @PMOIndia @narendramodi ji's call for reducing edible oil by 10%. 📥 Download #FatBoard - @ICMRDELHI @MoHFW_INDIA @NITIAayog — ICMR - National Institute of Nutrition (@ICMRNIN) July 12, 2025 Experts say that seeing this information every day can help change habits. These boards act like small reminders to think before picking up that sugary or fried snack. What Experts Are Saying About Sugar, Fat and Indian Eating Habits In 2023, a video by Revant Himatsingka, also known as Foodpharmer, went viral. The video showed the amount of sugar in soft drinks and packaged juices. It reached over 25 million views. Revant had said, "Habits form at an early age, and if we have a lot of sugar as a kid, chances are we will crave sugar as an adult too." He had requested the government to display sugar boards in every public school. Dr Gourdas Choudhuri, Chairman-Gastroenterology, Fortis Gurgaon, said, "With regard to what is happening in our urban cities in India and percolating to villages as well, there is a huge explosion of what we call metabolic disorders related to lifestyle and eating. So the most common ones are weight gain (overweight or obesity), propensity for diabetes, hypertension, increased amount of blood lipids like cholesterol and triglycerides, and early onset of heart disease." Dr Choudhuri continued, "What has really gone wrong is the way we eat and the way we live. We are actually consuming far more calories, and that too, refined sugar and a lot of oils in fried foods. This piles up initially in the liver and then goes on to clot the arteries and increases the risk of heart disease. So, from that point of view, any attempt at creating awareness is a good idea." Consultant nutritionist Rupali Datta added, "The definition of junk food found in the Oxford dictionary is 'food that is not very good for you but that is ready to eat or quick to prepare'. Nutritionists define junk food as that which adds only calories from sugar and fat, with no other nutrients. Problems with this junk are that it is low in satiety, so one tends to binge eat, and hence it has started replacing healthy food made with nutritious fresh ingredients." What Can You Do With This Information? Start by reading nutrition labels before buying packaged items. The World Health Organisation recommends no more than 25 grams (about 5 teaspoons) of added sugar per day. Many soft drinks and sweets easily cross this mark. Similarly, our total fat intake should not be more than 30g per day (6 tsp). Swap sugary and oily snacks with healthier options like fruits, nuts, yoghurt or simply clean, homecooked food. Be aware of hidden sugars and oils in foods labelled as "healthy". You do not need to quit everything, but awareness can help you make better choices. Will People Stop Eating Laddoo or Pakora? Probably not. In India, food is emotional. We eat with tradition, memory and joy. A warning label is unlikely to stop someone from eating a festive mithai or a rainy-day samosa. But it may help people choose better when it comes to daily snacking, especially for kids, office goers and those depending on packaged food. This is not about guilt. It is about knowing what is in your food - and making small, informed changes over time.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- 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.'
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
3 days ago
- Health
- First Post
Your favourite snacks join cigarette club: Govt canteens to display health warnings for samosas, jalebis
Top health institutions like AIIMS Nagpur have been directed to display eye-catching 'oil and sugar boards' in cafeterias and public areas read more To tackle the growing obesity problem, India's health ministry has mandated health warning labels for deep-fried snacks like samosas and jalebis, similar to those found on cigarette packs. According to a Times of India report, top health institutions like AIIMS Nagpur have been directed to display eye-catching 'oil and sugar boards' in cafeterias and public areas. These posters will highlight the fat and sugar content in popular foods, acting as health warning labels similar to those found on tobacco products. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The initiative targets high-calorie, deep-fried, and sugar-heavy items like jalebis and samosas, which will be listed on an official 'health alert list,' the report says. Effort to curb spread of lifestyle diseases This move comes as lifestyle diseases surge in India, with health experts linking sugar and trans fats to rising cases of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Projections estimate that by 2050, over 449 million Indians could be overweight or obese, making India the world's second-largest hub for obesity. The government clarified that this isn't a ban on these foods. Instead, the campaign aims to inform the public and encourage better choices, not eliminate traditional snacks. This effort aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Fit India' movement, which promotes a 10 per cent reduction in oil consumption and healthier lifestyle habits. What do experts say? Dr. Amar Amale, president of the Cardiological Society of India's Nagpur chapter, said that everyday snacks like samosas and jalebis are as harmful as cigarettes. He described sugar and trans fats as 'the new tobacco,' stressing the need for public awareness about their dangers. Dr. Sunil Gupta, a senior diabetologist, shared with TOI that a single gulab jamun can contain up to five teaspoons of sugar. He believes that if people were aware of this, they might reconsider eating it. Both doctors highlighted that excessive sugar intake is linked to serious conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
Laddoo, Vada Pav, Pakora And More To Carry Health Alerts, "As Serious As Cigarette Warnings"
Junk food consumption is linked to several non-communicable and lifestyle diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. While most people are aware of health problems associated with cigarettes and alcohol consumption, not many are conscious of the deep issues linked to junk food consumption. Nagpur will be among the first Indian cities to treat junk food like tobacco, not with bans, but with visual nudges. Around every tempting snack, a colourful sign board will remind you: "Eat wisely. Your future self will thank you." The health ministry has ordered all government institutions in Nagpur, including AIIMS Nagpur, to install "oil and sugar boards" that will alert citizens of the sugar and oil content in popular snacks like laddoo, vada pav, pakora, samosa, jalebi, etc, reported the Times Of India. These boards will be bright posters that serve as quiet but pointed reminders to bring to the attention of consumers just how much fat and sugar is hiding in everyday snacks. Cafeterias and public areas in AIIMS Nagpur will soon display these oily and sugary food warnings. "It's the beginning of food labelling becoming as serious as cigarette warnings," said Amar Amale, president of the Cardiological Society of India's Nagpur chapter, reported TOI. "Sugar and trans fats are the new tobacco. People deserve to know what they're eating." Junk and high-sugary foods are a major cause of rising obesity in India. As per reports, more than 44.9 crore Indians are projected to be overweight or obese by 2050. Further, one in five urban adults is overweight. This move by the health ministry aims to make consumers more aware of the health impact of easily accessible unhealthy snacks.
