Context:
An analysis of the earnings data for salaried workers, casual labourers, and self-employed persons from Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) reports shows that when adjusted for inflation, wages for salaried workers in India have stagnated since 2019.
Tackling Obesity in India
Background
- Dramatic obesity and diabetes crisis, wherein
- 1 in 4 adults are obese.
- 1 in 4 adults are diabetic or pre diabetic (National Family Health Survey 5).
- The Economic Survey 2025 put forth a suggestion for levying a health tax on ultra processed foods (UPFs) in opposition to their high consumption.
- However, weak food marketing regulations counter any credible action taken in this regard.
Food Labelling and Advertisement Dilemmas
Flawed Labelling System
- FSSAI’s Indian Nutrition Rating (INR) (2022)
- Modeled loosely on Australia’s ineffective health star system.
- Deceptive star ratings
- Making UPF look good.
- Conflict of interest
- Policymaking was heavily influenced by the food industry.
- Traffic light warning labels (2021 draft regulations) were scrapped due to pressures from the industry.
Problems of INR System
- These UPFs continue to be rated ‘healthy’
- 2 Stars for Biscuits (high fat, sugar, salt).
- 2 Stars for Soft Drinks (high sugar).
- 3 Stars for Cornflakes (high sugar, sodium).
- International Best Practice
- Warning labels (Chilean way ‘high in’ black labels), have reduced consumption by UPFs by 24%.
- The Way Ahead: Shift INR into mandatory ‘high in’ warning label implementation according to WHO or Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines.
Weak Advertising Regulations
- Four existing laws try to halt the misleading advertising HFSS/UPF, but none are effective.
- 2017 National Multisectoral Action Plan called for restricting HFSS food ads, however, no action has been taken.
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019
- Defines ‘misleading ads’ but does not compel nutritional information to be declared in food ads.
- For instance: A cola drink is free to advertise sugar per bottle, which is 9 10 teaspoons.
- Gaps in FSSAI Regulations
- No clear definition of HFSS/UPFs.
- There are no nutritional disclosure requirements in ads.
- Impact
- Marketing for unhealthy foods is directed at children & youth that aggravate the rates of obesity & diabetes.
- Global evidence: Banning junk food ads is shown to effectively reduce childhood obesity rates.
Recommendations: The Way Forward
- Inevitably disband Indian Nutrition Rating systems, compulsorily introduce mandatory ‘high in’ warning labels under WHO and ICMR guidelines.
- Specify threshold limits for sugar/salt/fat applicable to HFSS food products in conformity with the WHO SEARO and ICMR NIN guidelines.
- Close advertising loopholes by
- Either amending the existing laws or making a new consolidated HFSS/UPF ad ban.
- Restrict junk food ads, especially targeting children.
- Launch a national campaign against UPFs and their risks through multiple languages.
Source: The Hindu
