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The Hindu
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Experts urge Centre to implement mandatory warning labels on packaged foods
A collective of public health experts, scientists, legal professionals, and consumer rights advocates on June 3, 2025 issued a renewed call to the Central government to adopt mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on food and beverage products high in fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS). The demand was made during a virtual press conference convened to launch a national Position Statement on Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL). The event, organised by the Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi), brought together more than 25 health and civil society organisations that have endorsed the Position Statement. The context for the conference was the Supreme Court's observation during a hearing in April 2025 on a public interest litigation concerning misleading food packaging and inadequate labelling practices. The Court noted that several widely consumed packaged food products, lacked clear front-of-pack information regarding their health risks. It directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to revise and finalise its pending 2022 draft regulation on FOPNL within a three-month timeframe. The Position Statement presented at the conference calls for the immediate implementation of interpretive warning labels on HFSS products to enable informed consumer choices and stem the growing tide of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India. K. Srinath Reddy, former president of the Public Health Foundation of India, highlighted the dangers of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), likening their health claims to the paradox of breathing polluted air. 'Saying ultra-processed food gives nutrients is like saying polluted air also gives oxygen,' he said. Speakers Arun Gupta, National Convener of NAPi, elaborated on India's regulatory delays and called for a policy that reflects global health standards. Chandrakant Lahariya of the Foundation for People-centric Health Systems, presented scientific findings from India, reiterating that HFSS foods are directly linked to the rise in lifestyle diseases. Diabetologist Banshi Saboo highlighted the alarming increase in diabetes and obesity, stating that consumer choices are heavily influenced by deceptive packaging and unregulated health claims. Ashim Sanyal, chief operating cfficer at VOICE( Voluntary Organisation in Interest of Consumer Education) addressed the issue of label literacy and the confusion caused by star-based or traffic light labelling systems, while senior advocates M.R. Rajendran Nair and Rajiv Shankar Dvivedi detailed the Supreme Court's observations in the ongoing PIL seeking stricter food labelling regulations. Call for WHO-alinged nutrient profiling model In India, a multi-state trial conducted in 2022 by the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai and CMR - NIN in India with over 2,800 participants showed that warning labels outperformed all other forms of labelling in enabling consumers to identify unhealthy products. A separate study by ICMR-NIN confirmed that brief exposure to such labels led to measurable changes in purchasing decisions. Speakers also discussed the Indian Nutrition Rating (INR), a star-based system proposed by the FSSAI, saying that it fails to alert consumers about health risks. Instead, they pointed out, it creates a 'health halo' around processed food products that should be avoided, not encouraged. Drawing on international examples, the panel referred to Chile's use of black octagonal warning labels that state 'High in Sugar,' 'High in Salt,' or 'High in Fat.' The introduction of these labels resulted in a 24 % drop in sugary beverage consumption within the first year of implementation. Mexico adopted similar warning labels after years of rising obesity. These systems are based on nutrient profiling models recommended by the WHO, and they have shown that clear, interpretive warnings are more effective than numeric or star-based labels in influencing consumer behaviour and industry practices. Crucially, the Statement calls for the Indian government to safeguard labelling laws from being weakened in international trade negotiations, such as the ongoing India–UK Free Trade Agreement.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Are advertising and easy access driving rising sugar consumption among Indian children?
The Central Board of Secondary Education, or CBSE, recently mandated the establishment of sugar boards at all its schools. These boards will tell children how much sugar there is in common snacks that they eat versus what the recommended sugar intake is. The move also aims to make school canteens healthier so that the food children have access to on a daily basis is healthy and low in sugar. Why was this move necessary? Reports estimate that by 2030, one of every ten obese children the world over will be from India. India is staring at an obesity crisis among all segments of its population, but public health experts are increasingly worried about the youngest of them – children and adolescents. While diets high in ultra-processed food and lack of physical activity are said to be the main culprits, there is not enough talk about why our diet patterns are changing – relentless advertising and the cheap and easy availability of unhealthy food. Do our advertising laws need to change to ensure such foods are not marketed to children? Do our food labelling laws need to be modified? Will less access help improve diet patterns? Guest: Dr Arun Gupta, paediatrician and convenor of Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi) Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Jude Francis Weston For more episodes of In Focus:
Hans India
27-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
CBSE's Sugar Board essential public health measure, aligns with global nutrition goals: Experts
The recent directive by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to install "Sugar Boards" in schools is an essential public health measure that also aligns with global nutrition goals, said health experts on Tuesday. Amid increasing cases of diabetes and obesity among young children, the CBSE, last week, instructed over 24,000 affiliated schools across India to establish sugar boards. The Sugar Boards will provide essential information, including recommended sugar intake, the sugar content in commonly consumed foods (such as junk food and cold drinks), health risks associated with high sugar consumption, and healthier dietary alternatives. 'This initiative educates children about the dangers of excessive sugar consumption, which is a major contributor to childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes. By clearly displaying recommended sugar intake and the sugar content in common foods, the boards promote awareness and healthier choices,' Dr Naval Vikram, Professor of Medicine, at AIIMS, New Delhi, told IANS 'Coupled with workshops and parental involvement, this approach can reshape dietary habits early in life. It's a timely and necessary public health measure that aligns with global nutrition goals and helps build a foundation for long-term wellness among Indian children,' added the expert. Type 2 diabetes, once only prevalent in adults and the elderly, is now more common among children. In the letter to school principals, the CBSE attributed the alarming trend, seen particularly in the last decade, to high sugar intake, often due to the easy availability of sugary snacks, beverages, and processed foods within school environments. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a reduced intake of added sugar throughout one's life. In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10 per cent of total energy intake. The UN health body suggests a further reduction of the intake of free sugars to below 5 per cent of total energy intake. 'Studies have indicated that sugar constitutes 13 per cent of daily calorie intake for children aged 4 to 10 years, and 15 per cent for those aged 11 to 18 years, substantially exceeding the recommended limit of 5 per cent,' the letter said. The CBSE noted that the 'proliferation of sugary snacks, beverages, and processed foods, often readily available in school environments, contributes significantly to this excessive intake'. The new Sugar Board will educate students about informed food choices and promote long-term health benefits among students, it said. 'I would say it is a good step but to reduce consumption of unhealthy food products lot more needs to be done, including regulation for warning labels and ban of advertising of products High in Fat, Salt, and Sugar (HFSS). Even if you focus only on schools, the canteen should be made 'HFSS-free',' said Dr. Arun Gupta, a New-based paediatrician, told IANS. In addition to the risk of diabetes, the excessive consumption of sugar also contributes to obesity, dental problems, and other metabolic disorders, ultimately impacting children's long-term health and academic performance. Dr. Harsh Mahajan Chair-FICCI Health Services Committee, called the initiative "a timely and much-needed". He noted that while lifestyle-related disorders are beginning to affect children at a much earlier age, worryingly many of these conditions remain undiagnosed until much later, when irreversible damage has already occurred'. The experts also urged parents and schools to consider regular screening tests like fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, liver function, lipid profile, BMI, and waist circumference to help understand children's health and to make early changes.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Sikh industrialists call on Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, discuss development
1 2 Chandigarh: A delegation of the Sikh industrialists on Tuesday called on chief minister Nayab Singh Saini today and discussed various important topics, including industrial development, investment opportunities, and social collaboration in the state. Principal secretary to CM Arun Gupta; officer on special duty Dr Prabhleen Singh; and advisor, department of foreign cooperation, Pawan Chaudhary were also present in the meeting. The delegation comprised prominent Sikh industrialists from diverse sectors such as automobiles, textiles, agriculture, IT, and food processing. Saini, while interacting with the delegation, shared information about the state govt's policies and initiatives aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and creating new employment opportunities. The industrialists commended the govt's efforts in supporting the business community and fostering a positive environment for entrepreneurship. They also expressed a keen interest in boosting investments and suggested that some procedures for setting up industries should be simplified so that small and medium entrepreneurs could also benefit. The CM assured the delegation that the state govt was committed to continuously enhancing the 'ease of doing business' framework. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Viral Video: मृत्यू कसाही येऊ शकतो! सीसीटीव्हीत कैद झाली काळीज पिळवटणारी घटना Latest News Read More Undo The meeting also touched on social welfare initiatives, skill development programmes, and employment-oriented training for the youth. The delegation appreciated the govt's progressive approach and expressed confidence that Haryana would continue to advance both in industrial growth and social harmony.
Mint
20-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
Complaint filed against Amul for ‘promoting' its newly launched ‘Infant Formula', violates ‘IMS Act' says BPNI
The Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI), an organisation working to "protect, promote and support breastfeeding practices, has filed a complaint with the Union government against Amul for allegedly promoting its newly launched liquid ready-to-feed infant formula, which is listed on their website. It said the diary giant violated Infant Milk Substitutes, 1992. Dr. Arun Gupta, MD, FIAP (Ped), coordinator at BPNI took to X to flag it, stating, 'BPNI makes a formal complaint to concerned authorities requesting for actions to protect children's health @MoHFW_INDIA @fssaiindia @NCPCR_ @MinistryWCD. Violations of IMS Act undermine breastfeeding. This time its @Amul_Coop.' He further questioned, 'Why it is so difficult to abide by the law?' In a complaint to Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women and Child Development, FSSAI, NCPCR, for a quicker action and compliance, the BPNI stated, 'The promotion of infant formula by @Amul_Coop, as reported is in direct contravention of Section 9 of the IMS Act, 1992, which prohibits all forms of advertising and promotion of infant milk substitutes. The use of a teddy bear image further violates Section 6(2) of the Act.' The first page of the complaint filed by BPNI (Image: @moveribfan/X) It cited Section 2(g) of the IMS Act which defines "infant milk substitute" as any food marketed or represented as a replacement for mother's milk for infants up to two years of age, Section 2(i) that defines promotion as encouraging any person to purchase or use an infant milk substitute and Section 6 prohibiting the use of graphics or phrases that enhance the saleability of infant milk substitutes. It further alleges that Amul issued a press release about its 'India's first liquid ready-to-feed infant formula', promoting it as 'ideal to carry' and 'good for working mothers,' which BPNI claims is promotional in nature, adding Amul allegedly used a teddy bear image in its product label, which BPNI says is not a neutral symbol and is used to emotionally appeal and increase saleability, violating Section 6(2) of the Act. The second page of the complaint filed by BPNI. (Image: @moveribfan/X) Calling for a 'thorough investigation' into the alleged violation and "cognisable offence", the BPNI has asked to cease all promotional activities related to infant milk substitutes, withdraw the teddy bear graphic from the label, set up a monitoring mechanism for IMS Act compliance and advise media outlets to vet press releases for legal compliance before publication. 'Amulspray is one of India's oldest and most trusted infant milk food brands and is in complete compliance of the IMS Act. The link mentioned by you in your post is not active. We remain committed to all the guidelines of BPNI regarding promotion of infant food in India,' Amul's customer care stated on X.
