India is grappling with a growing health crisis, exacerbated by regulatory shortcomings. Urban Indians, particularly the affluent, lead relatively sedentary lifestyles and consume diets rich in carbohydrates and fats. While India’s vast population may mask the severity of the issue, a recent analysis in The Lancet revealed that approximately 23% of Indians are overweight, with a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 25. Though some regions, like West Asia and Eastern Europe, fare worse, India’s situation remains alarming.
A closer examination of the data uncovers more troubling trends. For instance, abdominal obesity rates among Indian women over 30 are startlingly high, with over 55% of women older than 40 affected. Abdominal obesity is a more significant indicator of metabolic disease risk than BMI alone.
Genetic predispositions further compound the problem. According to a scientist at the pharmaceutical company Lupin Ltd., Indians exhibit higher insulin resistance and are more likely to develop Type II diabetes at a younger age. The Lancet estimates that over 100 million Indians have diabetes, and another 136 million are pre-diabetic. As India continues to urbanize and grow wealthier, this health crisis is poised to worsen.
Middle-class dietary shifts from fresh to processed foods are often blamed for this situation. The term “junk food” itself implies unhealthiness. However, it is essential to scrutinize these assumptions. Delhi’s deep-fried street food, for example, may not be healthier than supermarket alternatives.
Data indicates that Indian junk food contains higher levels of salt, sugar, and saturated fats compared to many other countries. Packaged food, however, can be regulated to help consumers manage their intake better. Nestle India Ltd. reports that branded food comprises only a third of the Indian market but is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 12% in the coming years.
Regulatory effectiveness remains a critical question. Recently, regulators mandated that nutritional information about sugar, salt, and saturated fat be displayed prominently on packaged food labels. While this move was generally welcomed, it fell short of expectations. The new rules require this information to be presented based on arbitrary serving sizes and as a percentage of recommended daily intake, complicating consumers’ ability to discern what is truly healthy.
Previous regulatory proposals also faced criticism. In 2022, officials suggested a “star” rating system, akin to energy efficiency ratings for appliances. However, scientists noted that this system merely helped consumers choose the least unhealthy option among unhealthy choices.
Critics argue that India’s food regulators are more responsive to large food companies than to healthcare professionals. Past regulatory rollbacks have often been accompanied by promises of further study by advisers with ties to the agribusiness, food, and pharmaceutical industries.
The processed food industry must recognize that greater transparency can encourage consumers to choose healthier alternatives over enticing street food. Effective models exist nearby. Sri Lanka, for instance, employs a “traffic light” labeling system for sodas, guiding consumers towards healthier choices. Recent research indicates that this system effectively steers consumers towards better options.
India urgently needs straightforward, easy-to-understand warning labels to enable healthier consumer choices. Without such measures, the country’s increasing wealth will likely be accompanied by worsening health outcomes.
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