Toss out the junk food, bring back the healthy food plate (GS Paper 1, Nutrition & India)
Introduction
- India, like in many other countries, is undergoing a major “nutrition transition”.
- In what characterizes rapidly changing dietary patterns, there is a significant shift away from traditional diets, which were high in fiber and comprised mostly whole foods, to more western-style diets, which are processed and high in calories.
The surge in junk food
- The change has coincided with rapid economic progress and urbanisation along with a surge in the consumption of packaged and processed foods (popularly called “junk foods”)
- These foods are nutritionally low in vitamins, minerals, fibre but are high in calories, fats, salt, sugar, and innumerable preservatives.
- Categorised as high in fats, salts and sugars (HFSS) foods, scientific evidence shows how junk food has been medically found to weaken the body’s defences against infection, increase blood pressure, lead to a spike in blood sugar, cause weight gain, and also contribute to increased risk of cancer.
- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) study published in 2023 estimates that in India the prevalence of metabolic disorders is glaringly high where 11% has diabetes, 35% is hypertensive and almost 40% are suffering from abdominal obesity.
Court’s concern
- A ruling by the Supreme Court of India, in 2013, stated that that any food article which is hazardous or injurious to public health is a potential danger to the fundamental right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
- Recognising the need to promote people’s health and well-being, the Government of India has prioritised the promotion of healthy foods and an active lifestyle through its initiatives such as Eat Right India, the Fit India Movement, and Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition (Poshan) 2.0.
- As children are more exposed to the advertising of unhealthy foods, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) released the Food Safety and Standards (Safe food and balanced diets for children in school) Regulations, 2020, restricting the sale of HFSS in school canteens/mess premises/hostel kitchens, or within 50 metres of the school campus.
- Recently, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights also issued notice to a health drink giant to evaluate and withdraw all misleading advertisements, packaging and labels that brand the product as a “health drink”, citing the product’s high sugar content that can adversely impact the health of children.
- Despite a policy intention to provide a safe food environment, there is still much work that needs to be done in ensuring effective implementation of interventions that can have an impact on the consumption of junk foods.
Formulating a clear definition
- First, a good starting point for the government is to protect growing children from the harmful impact of junk foods.
- Second, Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL) appears to be a low-hanging fruit which can enable consumers to make informed choices about what foods they choose to eat. The nutrition labelling practice that draws one’s attention with clear and understandable signals can help you make an informed food choice.
- Third, policies can also be developed to facilitate the positive subsidies for healthy foods such as whole foods, millets, fruits and vegetables that will improve their availability, affordability, and thus greater consumption in rural and urban areas.
- Fourth, in addition to the policies, a behavioural change campaign targeting children and young adults alike can play a critical role in helping youth adopt healthy dietary habits and mindful eating practices.
Way forward
- It is critical to acknowledge the urgency of switching to healthier diets and creating public demand, or, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls it, a “Jan Andolan” or people’s movement, for healthy and nutritionally diverse diets.
