GUWAHATI, July 22: The ultra-processed food sale in India is witnessing an exponential growth and experts are worried about its impact on the rising prevalence of NCDs in India.
At an event organized in Guwahati by Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum, Assam in association with Consumer VOICE, New Delhi, industry leaders, doctors and government officials from Assam called for simple, mandatory and interpretive front of pack labels on food and beverages. Simple warnings can help consumers make informed choices and be a first step towards a healthy food system.
As per the latest NFHS 5 data non-communicable diseases account for 65% of total deaths in India. Dr. Munindra Narayan Baruah, Director, North East Cancer Hospital & Research Center said, “High burden of diabetes, obesity, stroke and cardiovascular diseases are linked to the increased consumption of unhealthy packaged foods that are High in Salt, Sugar and Fats that are readily available in the market.”
India has the ill-fated title of the diabetes capital of the world with the figure expected to rise to an alarming mark of 69.9 million by 2025 and 80 million by 2030. With 1 in every 4 persons obese according to NFHS 5, early adoption of right food labels will help consumers make healthy food choices. Warning labels with High In sign are an effective tool in identifying unhealthy foods.
Representatives of popular edible oil, FMCG, confectionary, snacks and sweets like Repose, Sitajakhala, Nivaz recognized the need for effective measures in curbing the rising incidence of NCDs in the state. As important stakeholders for a healthy nation, they lent their support to a people friendly FOPL.
Swapan Nath, General Manager, REPOSE said that “We are committed in ensuring healthy food to our consumers and will take necessary steps as guided by FSSAI and the scientific community in ensuring that our products meet global standards.” “A key step in this is to ensure that ingredients that like salt, sugar, and fats are used within permissible global limits’ Dr. Birendra Kumar Das, Chairman, NIVAZ said.
Front-of-pack food labeling is considered to be a powerful and simple tool for discouraging excessive consumption of processed foods. Nilanjana Bose from Consumer VOICE, New Delhi said that “Front-of-Pack warning labeling represents a key component of a comprehensive strategy to promote healthier lives. Every year more than 5.8 million Indians die of NCDs and most of these fatal diseases could be prevented by changing dietary habits and transforming the food industry.”
Recognizing the importance of measures like high taxes on sugary foods and Front of pack labels, Hrishikesh Acharyya, Managing Director, SITAJAKHALA said that “We welcome the idea of a strong FOPL that will help consumers quickly understand and identify healthy foods. Global evidence points to warning labels having immediate health benefits but also being favorable to the industry. There is affordable technology and market acceptance for food industry to ensure that food and beverages are healthier as per global standards.” Speaking at the event, Samiran Baruah, Designated Officer and Anupam Gogoi, Food Analyst, Commissionerate of Food Safety, Govt. of Assam said, “We will ensure that food companies are abiding by the standards which will improve the health of consumers of the state. “
“Consumption of ultra-processed foods and packaged foods is in the rise in Assam and irrespective of the socio economic background, it is putting the lives of our children and youth at peril. We can improve the situation by letting the consumers make the right choice with a simple warning label on the front of food packets for unhealthy foods” said Advocate Ajoy Hazarika, Secretary, Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum, Assam .