Govt. Departments told to publicise the oil, sugar content of Indian snacks

Why in the News?

The Union Health Ministry has directed all government departments and autonomous bodies to display easy-to-read warning boards on the oil, sugar, and trans-fat content in common Indian snacks like samosas, pakoras, biscuits, and jalebis.
This initiative aims to promote awareness about lifestyle diseases and encourage healthier dietary habits, beginning with a pilot project at AIIMS, Nagpur.

Background

• Rising burden of lifestyle diseases: India is facing an epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular ailments, many of which are linked to unhealthy dietary patterns and sedentary lifestyles.
• Hidden sugars and fats: Indian snacks are often rich in refined flour, oil, sugar, and trans fats. Most people are unaware of their caloric load and the long-term impact on health.
• Behavioural nudges: Past global and Indian public health strategies have increasingly used visual cues, warning labels, and behavioural economics to nudge populations towards healthier choices.
• Precedents: Similar public health labelling efforts (e.g., FSSAI’s “Eat Right India”, front-of-pack labelling policies, and traffic light nutritional tags) have shown promise but faced challenges in widespread implementation.

Features of the Initiative

• Sugar and Oil Boards:
  To be displayed in government offices, canteens, schools, and public institutions.
• Highlight the nutritional content and health risks of common snacks.
• Designed as “visual behavioural nudges” to promote moderation.

Pilot Programme at AIIMS Nagpur:

• Calorie count posters beside food stalls.
• Clear warnings about sugar, fat, and trans-fat content.
• Messages promote awareness without outright restriction.

Expansion Plan:

• Rollout expected in other cities after Nagpur’s pilot.
• It will be scaled based on feedback and impact.
• Health Messaging and Physical Activity:
• Departments to print health messages on official documents and stationery.

Encourage:

• Use of stairs over elevators,
• Short exercise breaks,
• Walking routes,
• Availability of healthy meal options in cafeterias.

Way Forward

Strengthening Awareness:

• Expand awareness campaigns to schools, colleges, private sector offices, and transport hubs.
• Integrate nutrition education into public health outreach.

Mandatory Labelling Policy:

• Enforce Front-of-Pack (FoP) labelling norms across all packaged food items under FSSAI.

Digital Tools:

• Develop mobile apps or QR codes to provide instant nutrition info on food items in public places.

Public–Private Partnerships (PPP):

1. Collaborate with food vendors, canteen services, and cloud kitchens to offer reformulated, healthier versions of popular snacks.

Behavioural Change Communication (BCC):

• Use nudge theory and mass media to influence public behaviour in a non-coercive manner.
• Targeted campaigns for urban youth and office workers.

Monitoring & Evaluation:

• Set up a feedback mechanism to assess the effectiveness of nudges.
• Use health metrics like obesity/BMI trends in pilot areas as indicators.

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

Question: Discuss the role of behavioural nudges such as nutritional warning boards in promoting public health. How effective can such measures be in addressing the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India?”

PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTION