Latest news with #Jalebis
New Indian Express
21-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Samosa and Jalebi to outlive health advisory against it
One remembers going on a Samosa safari in the by lanes of the walled city thanks to an Old Delhi resident friend who acted as guide. Walking through Chawri Bazaar or the intricate lanes of Matia Mahal, one encountered vendors offering keema Samosas bursting with spicy minced meat, moong dal Samosas with a grainy, savoury filling, and paneer Samosas wrapped in flaky layers. Sweet Samosas filled with khoya and dry fruits make appearance during festive seasons, while in winter, the gobhi(cauliflower) and matar(peas)Samosa reign supreme. Even more fascinating are the fusion varieties—Chinese noodles, macaroni, and even pizza Samosas—catering to younger tastes while preserving the snack's iconic triangular form. But nothing to beat the ubiquitous potato filled Samosa sold across the country with flavour of the filling and flakiness of the crust varying from shop to shop. There is an interesting take on how the potatoes found their way into triangular womb of the popular snack. During the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, scholar and traveller Ibn Battuta recorded that the royals of Delhi relished a snack Sambusak — filled with minced meats, nuts, and spices. Sambusak had its origin in Persia and neighbouring Arab world. With the arrival of the Portuguese in the sub-continent, arrived potato. Over a period of time, Indian cooks adapted the Samosa to local tastes and ingredients. Meat fillings made way for spiced potatoes, peas, and lentils, particularly among the vegetarian-dominant communities in North India. Similarly Jalebi too travelled from Persia and the Arab world to the courts of Delhi sultanate and the Mughals and then to the by lanes of the old city and beyond. Jalebi as a complement to Samosa is something very peculiar to Delhi. The numerous street food carts selling Samosas also sell Jalebis. In fact it has the city's huge factory and civil work labour surviving on Samosas and Jalebis for their after daylong toil evening snack. To put it simply, Samosas and Jalebis are deeply ingrained in the national capital's food menu, especially among working-class communities. Highlighting these foods in health advisories could unintentionally defame them. Any such official advisory cautioning, whether on health, hygiene, or dietary grounds, may carry unintended economic consequences too, especially for thousands of street vendors whose livelihood depends on these popularsnacks. It can create panic or stigma, leading to a drop in consumer trust and footfall. Many vendors lack the resources to meet formal compliance standards overnight. The result could be a disproportionate blow to small sellers while larger branded outlets would remain relatively unaffected. Delhi's vibrant street food culture deserves preservation, not suppression. Balancing public health with livelihood protection is key, especially in an economy where the informal sector forms a vital support system for millions. But given the spirit of survival, which the snack and its connoisseurs have, Samosa and Jalebi will outlive the health advisory against it. Sidharth Mishra Author and president, Centre for Reforms, Development & Justice
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
India just called out samosas: Should the US be worried?
Imagine biting into your favorite crispy, golden samosa—or twirling a warm, syrupy jalebi onto your plate—only to spot a sign beside it that almost translates: 'Warning: May increase risk of obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. ' Feels a little jarring, right? Well, that's exactly what's about to happen in parts of India. Following a recent move by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the government is reportedly planning to roll out cigarette-style health warnings for high-fat, sugar-laden Indian street foods—like samosas and jalebis—especially when sold in schools and public institutions. The goal? Raise public awareness around the growing epidemic of lifestyle diseases linked to trans fats and ultra-processed foods. It's a bold step. And it's got people buzzing—not just in India, but across the globe. So now comes the real question: Could something like this ever fly in the US? Let's break it down. America is no stranger to deep-fried delights. Doughnuts, Twinkies, mozzarella sticks, state-fair funnel cakes. We've built a culture around comfort food, and we don't really expect those foods to come with a side of health shame. Sure, we've got nutrition facts on packaging. But health warnings? That's another level. In India, however, the conversation is shifting quickly. Due to rising rates of obesity, fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes (even among children), there's a growing urgency to call out what many already know: these beloved treats might taste like heaven but can wreak havoc on the body. Jalebis, for example, are 100% sugar-and-fat bombs—deep-fried and soaked in syrup. Samosas? A delicious trifecta of starch, trans fats, and carbs. Traditional, yes. Delicious, absolutely. Healthy? Eh, not so much. And Indian health experts aren't mincing words. They're pushing for statutory warnings, especially in places like school canteens and government buildings. Think: black boxes or bold-font warnings next to the snack trays. Much like cigarette packets. That's a major culture shift. Could this happen in the US? Short answer: It's complicated. The U.S. has a long, tangled relationship with food regulation. Remember New York City's soda ban attempt in 2012? The mayor tried to restrict the sale of supersized sugary drinks. It sparked national outrage and was eventually shot down in court. Even the calorie counts we now see on fast food menus took years of lobbying and public debate. Now, imagine putting a health warning next to every doughnut, churro, or slice of pecan pie. For many Americans, that feels downright un-American. But here's the thing: Science doesn't care about cultural resistance. What's unhealthy in India is just as unhealthy in Iowa. We're in the same metabolic mess. The only difference is that India is trying to make the danger more obvious. Why it matters The core idea behind India's new plan isn't to shame food—it's to inform the eater. Because let's face it: most people don't know what they're actually eating. Trans fats hide behind labels like 'partially hydrogenated oils.' Added sugars lurk in ketchup, salad dressing, and even 'low-fat' snacks. Jalebis and samosas are just the tip of the fried iceberg. And the numbers? Not pretty. According to the CDC, nearly 1 in 2 American adults has high blood pressure. 1 in 3 has prediabetes. Childhood obesity rates have more than tripled in the past four decades. If that's not an epidemic, what is? Now layer in the emotional and cultural attachments we have to food. Suddenly, any attempt to label or limit feels personal. That's part of what makes food policy so hard to implement in the U.S.—we treat our food choices as private freedoms. But when public health is on the line, does that freedom come at too high a cost? Cafés, restaurants, and responsibility So what about restaurants? Cafés? Street vendors? Here's where it gets spicy. Small business owners argue that labeling certain foods as 'dangerous' could hurt sales, stigmatize cultural foods, and scare away customers. Fair point. But what if it's not about fear—what if it's about balance? American diners already navigate dietary tags like 'gluten-free,' 'low-carb,' or 'sugar-free.' Why not tag ultra-processed items or dishes with trans fats too? Not every croissant needs a warning sign—but maybe deep-fried, sugar-drenched items served regularly in schools or hospitals should come with a little heads-up. What American parents can learn Here's a reality check: ultra-processed snacks have become lunchbox staples in the US From Pop-Tarts to fruit snacks to fried cafeteria foods, kids are eating way more junk than whole food. India's approach might seem harsh, but it also makes the invisible visible. And when parents start seeing what's actually in the food their kids eat, behavior starts to shift. Maybe it's time we adopted that mindset—not to shame treats, but to frame them. As 'occasional,' not everyday. As 'fun,' not fundamental. One final myth to bust: Just because something's traditional doesn't mean it's harmless. Samosas and jalebis are deeply rooted in Indian culture. So are doughnuts and cornbread in the American South. That doesn't give them a health pass. Tradition can coexist with transformation. You can still enjoy the foods you love—just maybe not five times a week, and maybe with clearer knowledge of what you're actually eating. Could America benefit from warning labels on its most indulgent snacks? Honestly? Yeah. We probably won't see cigarette-style boxes on cupcakes any time soon—but the larger idea is worth chewing on. Because whether it's a samosa in Mumbai or a Twinkie in Milwaukee, ultra-processed food is quietly rewriting our health future. India's plan is a loud, crunchy wake-up call. Maybe it's time the US took a bite.
India.com
14-07-2025
- Health
- India.com
Bad news for Samosa, Jalebi lovers as Modi govt issues order saying..., Samosas will now be...
Samosa Jalebi Big news for Samosa-Jalebi lovers: In a big step towards controlling fast foods like Samosas and Jalebis due to their profound impact on the health of Indians, the Union Health Ministry has reportedly issued a directive to put up oil and sugar boards warning the amount of sugar, fat, and oil in samosas and jalebis in all government canteens and restaurants. The reports have suggested that in order to curb the growing levels of obesity and boost the Fit India initiative, the health ministry has directed all central institutions to install 'oil and sugar boards' similar to tobacco warnings on cigarette packets. Why samosas, kachori, pizzas dangerous for health? The informative posters and digital boards highlight the harmful impacts of the amount of sugar and oil present in popular food items, including samosas, kachori, pizza, pakoras, banana chips, burgers, soft drinks, and chocolate pastries. It also displays the effects of these foods on the human body as well as shares the recommended amounts of fat and sugar for individual intake. 'The colourful posters will tell how much sugar and oil is hidden in the breakfast we eat every day,' cardiologist Dr. Amar Amle from Nagpur, told IANS. Expert view on why Obesity has become silent epidemic? 'Obesity has become a silent epidemic, and the number is estimated to increase to 44.9 crores by 2050, hence this step of the government is highly commendable, and will help curb obesity. The warning boards are similar to those on cigarettes and tobacco,' Amle said. Why CBSE installed 'sugar boards' in schools Notably, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had issued a directive to schools to install 'sugar boards' in schools in May this year. Health experts noted that the public health measure also aligns with global nutrition goals, and will help India fight the menace of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers. (With inputs from agencies)
