30 April 2024 – The Hindu

Reduction in Consumption of Processed Foods

• As is the case with a great number of other nations, India is going through a significant “nutrition transition.” There has been a considerable shift away from traditional diets, which were high in fibre and consisted primarily of whole foods, and towards diets that are more western-style, which are processed and high in calories. This shift is a characteristic of the fast shifting dietary patterns that are currently taking place. This shift has occurred at the same time as fast economic development and urbanisation, as well as an increase in the consumption of packaged and processed foods, which are commonly referred to as “junk foods.”
• Junk foods are foods that are heavy in calories, carbohydrates, and harmful fats, but poor in nutrients. Junk foods are also known as processed foods. These meals are often lacking in fibre, vitamins, and minerals, and they are frequently subjected to a high level of processing. Fast food products such as burgers, fries, and pizzas are examples of junk foods. Other examples of junk meals are sugary snacks such as cookies, candies, and sodas, as well as salty snacks (such as chips and pretzels). Regular consumption of junk food has been linked to a number of health difficulties, including being overweight, developing cardiovascular disease, developing type 2 diabetes, and having dental problems. Despite the fact that they are frequently tempting and handy, many foods have very little nutritious value.

Can you tell me about the various worries that are associated with junk (fast) foods in India?

Foods Included in the HFSS Category:

• The scientific data demonstrates that junk food, which is classified as foods that are high in fats, salts, and sugars (HFSS), has been proved to weaken the body’s defences against illness, create an increase in blood pressure, produce a spike in blood sugar, induce weight gain, and also contribute to an increased risk of cancer.
• Cookies, cakes, chips, namkeen, instant noodles, sugary drinks, frozen meals, canned fruits, Indian sweets, and bakery products are all examples of foods that are considered to be junk food or high-fat, high-sugar, and high-sugar foods. These items are frequently packaged as comfort foods in India.
• An Alarmingly High Rate of Lifestyle-Related Diseases:
• The fact that India is experiencing a surge in the prevalence of lifestyle-related disorders should not come as a surprise; poor diets are one of the single most significant elements contributing to this phenomenon.
• The magnitude of the health burden is put into perspective by a study that was published in 2023 by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The study estimates that the prevalence of metabolic disorders in India is alarmingly high, with 11% of the population suffering from diabetes, 35% of the population having hypertension, and almost 40% of the population suffering from abdominal obesity.

Aggressive advertising has the following effects:

• The influence of aggressive advertising to promote “tasty” and “affordable” comfort meals, particularly directed at younger people, is a crucial element that should be taken into consideration while assessing the changing eating patterns of Indians.
• According to the findings of a survey that was carried out across the entirety of India by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), 93 percent of youngsters consumed packaged food, 68 percent consumed packaged sweetened beverages on a more frequent basis than once per week, and 53 percent consumed these items on a daily basis.
• The ultra-processed food business in India has expanded at a compound annual growth rate of 13.37% between 2011 and 2021. This expansion occurred along with the trend described above. In addition, it is anticipated that the food processing business in India will be valued 535 billion US dollars by the year 2025-26

A Glycemic Index (GI) that is High and a Glycemic Load:

• Numerous pieces of evidence point to the increasing significance of the glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) of meals. Diets that are high in glycemic index and total glycemic load have lately been linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, the relationship between diets with a high glycemic index and rates of cardiovascular disease and death is not as well understood.
• Sugar and sweets, white rice, maida, potatoes, white bread, sweetened beverages, jaggery, and cookies are all examples of foods that are high in glycemic index (GI) diets. This holds particular significance for the countries of India and South Asia, where the majority of calories come from the consumption of carbohydrates in the form of high-glycemic-index white rice or wheat, resulting in a very high glycemic load (GL) in our diets.

Glycemic Index (GI) and Glycemic Load (GL): Which Is Better?

• Professor David Jenkins of the University of Toronto was the first person to put forward the idea of a “Glycemic Index” which was initially proposed in 1981. The glycemic index (GI) of a food is a measurement of the ‘quality’ of carbohydrates and refers to the ability of the food to result in an increase in the amount of glucose in the blood.
• In order to serve as a comparative, glucose or white bread is utilised. By default, the glycemic index (GI) of glucose is set at 100, and the GI of other foods is expressed as a percentage of this value.
• As a result, the glycemic index (GI) of foods can be broken down into three categories: low (less than 55), medium (56-69), and high (above 70). When the glycemic index (GI) is multiplied by the quantity of carbohydrates that are consumed, the glycemic load (GL) is calculated.

How to Control the Sugar Content:

• In its Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations 2018, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said that a product can only make the claim that it is “low on sugar” if the total amount of sugar in the product is less than 5 grammes per 100 grammes. The World Health Organisation has established a threshold of 25 grammes, which is equivalent to six teaspoons, of sugar per day.
• The “Malting” Process Takes Place During the Manufacturing of Processed Foods:
• The process of malting, which involves germination of grains, drying, roasting, and powdering of the cereals, will also result in the production of sugar in addition to the sugar that is added. Malting is a procedure that was initially utilised for the production of single malt whisky. It is also utilised in the production of milk beverages that are based on malt. Maltodextrin, liquid glucose, maltose that is produced from the malting process of cereals, and other ingredients are included in the various chocolate powders. Sugar is the only ingredient that is not included.

Causes for Concern Regarding ‘Processed Baby Foods:

• A child who is between the ages of one and two years old should have twelve scoops or one hundred grammes of baby food (like Cerelac) on a daily basis, according to recommendations made by businesses like Nestle. Consequently, the infant takes in a total of 24 grammes of sugar on a daily basis. When a young baby consumes an excessive amount of sugar, it places an undue amount of pressure on the pancreas, which in turn causes the baby to produce an excessive amount of insulin, which can eventually lead to diabetes and obesity.
• Due to the fact that the white starchy powder of maltodextrin has a higher glycemic index (GI) than table sugar, the addition of substances such as maltodextrin to improve flavour and texture is hazardous. An excessive amount of sugar is turned into triglycerides, which are a type of fat that is stored in the liver. This can lead to a fatty liver as well as insulin resistance, which is the root cause of diabetes.

Insufficiently Precise Definition of High-Fat, High-Sugar, and High-Sugar Foods:

• A set of regulations has been established by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) with the intention of restricting the consumption of foods that are high in fat, sugar, and salt intake. In spite of this, there is not yet a definitive approach that can be used to define or identify the specific foods that are classified as high-fat, high-sugar, and high-sodium foods. This lack of a defined definition or identification process is a hurdle when it comes to successfully limiting the intake of these unhealthy foods.

The FSSAI’s Use of Rating Stars and Labels That Do Not Cause Warning:

• On the front-of-the-pack labelling of the food packet or beverage bottle, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued a draft notice in September 2022. The notification was released to clarify what a food that contains high-fat, high-sugar, and high-sugar substances (HFSS) will be composed of.
• According to this interpretation, a product is considered to be high in fat and/or sugar if it draws more than ten percent of its total energy (kcal) from sugar and/or saturated fat. The FSSAI, on the other hand, has left the law open-ended about whether or not businesses are required to declare the amount of fat, sugar, and salt that is contained on the front of the package.
• Additionally, it has advocated for the use of “health rating stars” rather than warning labels. Consumers are told in a straightforward manner by warning labels whether a product contains a high amount of sugar, salt, or fat. Health stars have the potential to deceive.

Breaking Free from the Star Rating System:

• The most recent draft of the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling & Display) Amendment Regulations, 2022 includes the Indian Nutrition Rating (INR), which is a system that would assign a star rating to packaged food goods based on the overall nutritional profile of the product. This system would be implemented in 2022.
• There are, however, a lot of issues regarding this matter. Most importantly, star ratings will provide producers with a direct path out of the situation.
• They might include one or two healthy components in order to boost the total star rating, but they will continue to sell harmful meals that contain dangerously high levels of fat, sugar, and salt on the market.
• Furthermore, participation in rules is voluntary up until a period of four years after the date on which the regulations were finally notified to the public.

What are the various approaches that can be taken to address the issues that can arise from HFSS foods?

Decision of the Supreme Court:

• A decision that was handed down by the Supreme Court of India in 2013 provides a suitable starting point from a constitutional standpoint. The Supreme Court of India emphasised that any food item that is hazardous or harmful to public health is a possible threat to the fundamental right to life that is guaranteed and protected by Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
• The government of India has made the promotion of healthy foods and an active lifestyle a priority through its initiatives such as Eat Right India, the Fit India Movement, and Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition (Poshan) 2.0. This is because the government is aware of the need to promote the health and well-being of the people.
• In the preamble to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, it is stated that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that the populations of India have access to food that is both safe and nutritious.
• Through the ‘Eat Right India’ programme, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated a comprehensive initiative to revamp the nation’s food system. The goal of this endeavour is to guarantee that all Indians have access to food that is not only safe and healthy but also sustainable. Therefore, Behtar Jeevan establishes the basis upon which this movement is built.
• The Eat Right India initiative employs a strategic combination of regulatory, capacity building, collaboration, and empowerment strategies in order to guarantee that the food we consume is beneficial to both the people and the environment.
• On top of that, it is built on the collaborative efforts of all of the various stakeholders, including the government, firms in the food industry, organisations in the civil society, experts and professionals, development agencies, and the general public.
• As children are more likely to be exposed to advertisements for unhealthy foods, the Food Safety and Standards (Safe food and balanced diets for children in school) Regulations, 2020 were released by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). These regulations restrict the sale of high-fat, high-sugar, and high-sodium foods in school canteens, mess premises, and hostel kitchens, as well as within fifty metres of the school campus.
• Recently, the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights issued a notice to a health drink giant, requesting that the company evaluate and remove all misleading advertisements, packaging, and labels that brand the product as a “health drink.” The notice cited the product’s high sugar content, which can have a negative impact on the health of children. Each and every business must take the necessary steps to guarantee that this rule is effectively implemented.

An Examination of the FSSAI Regulation:

• Milk cereal-based supplemental foods are permitted to contain sugar in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2019, which were published in 2019. According to the rule, lactose and glucose polymers are to be prioritised as carbohydrates for use in food and for providing nutrition to infants.
• Sucrose and/or fructose are not permitted to be added unless they are required as a source of carbohydrates, and the total amount of these sugars must not exceed twenty percent of the total carbohydrate content. Because the regulation allows for the presence of sugar, it is necessary to reconsider the regulation.

The Need for Legislation That Is All-Encompassing:

• The first thing that needs to be done is to establish a complete rule that will define what constitutes “healthy” and “unhealthy” in a way that is absolutely apparent. This regulation should include all food and beverage products. There is already a draft notification on the front of the pack labelling of high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt goods, and comments have been received from all of the stakeholders; however, the notification has not yet been enacted. Legislative support is required for implementation of this.
• It is marketing and pushing it to people who are unaware of the situation that is at the root of the issue. Additionally, the Infant Milk Substitutes Act prohibits the promotion of infant foods through the use of advertisements. On the other hand, these regulations are frequently broken, and social media influencers frequently market infant food. In order to combat unlawful advertisements, tough measures need to be adopted.
• Multimedia messaging on the health effects of junk foods, campaigns that build on the “vocal for local” movement, which promotes locally grown and seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as traditional foods like millets, and interactive discussions on balanced diets and tapping into social media influencers to mainstream conversations about the health risks of junk foods are all examples of what can be included in this category.
• First and foremost, it is important for the government to take measures to safeguard youngsters who are still developing from the negative effects of junk food.
• Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) moves ahead and “defines” what exactly comprises foods that are high in fat, salt, and sugar in the context of India. This will allow for more effective application of food safety standards.
• Regarding the second point, Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL) seems to be a low-hanging fruit that has the potential to empower consumers to make well-informed decisions regarding the goods that they choose to consume.
• At the moment, individuals have access to a mathematical nutrition table that is printed in small print on the back of food packets. However, many individuals do not notice or interpret this table.
• It is possible that a “warning label” that specifies “high in salt” on the front of the product might be a more reasonable alternative, particularly if you are a patient at risk for hypertension.
• Third, policies can also be devised to promote positive subsidies for healthy foods such as whole foods, millets, fruits, and vegetables. These subsidies will improve the availability of these foods, in addition to making them more affordable, which will lead to an increase in consumption in both rural and urban spaces.
• Is it possible for policymakers to find a way to make a fruit more inexpensive than a packet of high-salt chips that costs five rupees and a packet of high-sugar biscuits that cost two rupees?
• In the fourth place, in addition to the policies, a behavioural change campaign that is directed towards children and young adults alike can play a significant role in assisting young people in adopting healthy eating habits and mindful eating practices.
• It is of the utmost importance to recognise the pressing need to transition to better meals and to generate popular demand, or what the Prime Minister refers to as a “Jan Andolan” or people’s movement, for diets that are both nutritious and diverse in terms of their nutritional composition. It is imperative that these initiatives be backed by genuine policy measures that assist Indians in exercising their right to make informed decisions regarding their food consumption.
• Individuals can lessen their consumption of unhealthy additives, excessive sugars, and refined grains that are typically present in processed foods by selecting foods that are whole, minimally processed, and abundant in nutrients, fibre, and important vitamins. This preventative strategy not only contributes to improved physical health, but it also fosters mental clarity and maintains energy levels throughout time.