FNB News - Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest applauds Economic Survey 2024-25

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Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest applauds Economic Survey 2024-25

Tuesday, 04 February, 2025, 08 : 00 AM [IST]

Our Bureau, New Delhi

The Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi), a national think tank of independent experts on public health and nutrition, commends the Economic Survey 2024-25, that marks a significant milestone by explicitly addressing the need to regulate ultra-processed food products (UPFs) usually high in fats, salt and sugar, in India, aligning with growing public health concerns and global evidence.

“If India were to realise the vast potential of its youthful population, their mental, emotional and physical health need to be nurtured. Scientific evidence abounds that the consumption of ultra-processed foods (High in Fat, Salt and Sugar or HFSS) is a big factor in undermining both physical and mental health,” stated in the Economic Survey 2024/25.

The UPFs include sweetened breakfast cereals, packed juices, instant noodles, chips, soft drinks, and energy drinks to fried chicken and packaged cookies.

The survey acknowledges that UPFs, laden with unhealthy additives, excess sugar, and refined grains, pose serious health risks to people especially recognising the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity and diabetes. It further highlights the alarming increase in UPF consumption and its association with cardiovascular diseases and mental health issues. The survey recommends urgent action such as Stricter Labelling mandating front-of-pack warning labels (FOPL) to inform consumers about high fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) content.

Along with this the survey suggests putting marketing restrictions on the junk food and curbing misleading advertisements. It stresses the need to define UPFs clearly and enforce nutrient thresholds for sugars, salt, and saturated fats. Launching of campaigns in schools/colleges to educate about UPF risks, to complement initiatives like Eat Right India has also been suggested. It also suggests introducing higher GST rates on UPFs, particularly targeting heavily advertised products.

Key Findings from the Economic Survey 2024-25 on UPF Consumption and NCD Burden:
Growth in UPF consumption: The WHO India report 2023 highlighted in the survey shows that between 2011 and 2021, the value of retail sales in the UPF segment grew at a CAGR of 13.7%. While there was a temporary decline during 2020, the next year saw a strong rebound with an 11.29% increase. Its alarming to understand that India’s consumption of ultra-processed foods shot up from about $900 million in 2006 to over $37.9 billion in 2019.

Household spending on UPFs: According to the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2022-23, 9.6% of the food budget in rural areas and 10.64% in urban areas is spent on beverages, refreshments, and processed food.

Health outcomes linked to UPFs: The survey cites multiple studies showing that increased UPF intake is associated with direct association between exposure to UPFs and 32 health parameters spanning mortality, cancer, and mental, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and metabolic health outcomes. Evidence has been mounting over the years especially on obesity, chronic inflammatory disorders, cardiovascular diseases, type-2 diabetes, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

Global best practices: The survey discusses policies from countries like Mexico, Chile, and UK, which have implemented taxation on unhealthy foods, warning labels, and advertising restrictions to curb UPF consumption.

Ineffectiveness of Self-Regulation: It cites a 22-country study showing corporate self-regulation fails to curb UPF marketing. NAPi echoes recommendations from Indian public health groups to exclude industry influence from policy development.

Considering that strong policies are at the heart of achieving the targets of the MOHFW’s National Multi-sector Action Plan to control NCDs (2017-22), to halt obesity and diabetes by 2025, and given the strong evidence linking UPFs to rising NCDs, NAPi reiterates the call for implanting the recommendations made in the Economic Survey 2024-25, specifically - Mandatory warning labels (FOPL) for HFSS foods to ensure consumer awareness be adopted with no time to waste; Strict restrictions on UPF advertisements, especially those exposing children under 18. NAPi’s believes that it can be achieved through amendment of existing Advertisement Code and Norms of Journalistic Conduct 2022 to explicitly ban advertisement of HFSS/UPF food products; Definition of UPF/HFSS is adopted in harmony with the Dietary Guidelines of ICMR-NIN Government of India; Constitute an empowered group to lead and monitor the actions; Ensure that the Budget provisions are made for these activities.

As a way forward, NAPi urges all Members of Parliament across party lines, Members of Parliamentary Committee on Health and Ministry of Health and family Welfare to work together to translate the Economic Survey 2024-25 recommendations into immediate regulatory action to safeguard public health.