Tackling Obesity in India: Need for Food Regulations

Context

Obesity is a chronic health condition characterized by excessive body fat that negatively impacts overall health. India is witnessing a worrying rise in obesity, with statistics from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) indicating that one in four Indian adults is obese. Additionally, a similar proportion of the population is either diabetic or pre-diabetic. The increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is a major contributor to this growing health crisis.

Challenges in Regulating Food in India

• Weak Implementation and Enforcements: Since 2017, the enactment of a clear labeling and food advertising law has been poorly implemented by the FSSAI and various ministries. Although some laws exist, their application is vague and favors industry over public health.
• Ineffective Front-of-Pack Labelling: One of the sweeping regulatory gaps is that unhealthy food products do not have front-pack warning labels. This allows unlimited marketing of unhealthy foods and misleading advertisements, helping to entrench misinformation about unhealthy foods among consumers. 
• Faulty Nutrition Rating System: The FSSAI rolled out a perverse ‘health star’ system in September 2022, dubbed INR, which was meant to help people make healthy choices. This heavily industry-influenced model follows Australia’s failed model. HFSS foods such as biscuits and soft drinks can still get two stars under the scheme, therefore failing in consumer protection. Even the cornflakes containing sugar and sodium receive a three-star rating that leads consumers to be misled into believing they are being offered a healthy option. 
• Effect of Industries on Food Regulations: The FSSAI is drawing questionable inference from the almost uncriticised study by IIM Ahmedabad with hardly any transparency and accountability. The Scientific panel members, for the great part, have been excluded from decision-making, and the proposed 2021 warning label, entitled the ‘traffic light’, was junked under industry pressure. 
• Weak Regulations Regarding Disinformation and Advertisement Protection: Misleading advertisements in India are governed by several laws, including the Consumer Protection Act (2019). Implementation of laws, however, remains weak. The National Multisectoral Action Plan (2017) recommended restricting ads for junk food, but it has not yet been enforced. Unclear legal definitions for HFSS foods and UPFs create additional hurdles for effective regulation.

Health Impact of Poor Food Regulations

Unregulated advertising on unhealthy food products has given rise to increasing cases of obesity and diabetes in India. Research shows a significant reduction in childhood obesity with restriction of junk food advertisement. Without strict regulations, the prevalence of lifestyle diseases is bound to increase massively and this will cause a great burden to Indian healthcare.

A Roadmap for Effective Food Regulation

• Learning from Global Best Practices: Countries such as Chile have implemented effective front-of-pack warning labels-for example, with ‘high in’-black labels on unhealthy foods that account for a 24% reduction in UPF consumption. India should use this example instead of the effectiveness of the ‘health star’ system for regulation. 
• Align with WHO and ICMR Guidelines: India should subscribe to WHO’s guidelines on food classification as well as those of ICMR-NIN. The introduction of stringent nutritional thresholds of sugar, salt and fat quantities in packaged foods would surely improve consumer awareness leading to healthier choices. 
• Strengthening Food Regulations and Advertising Laws: Close up loopholes with exhaustive laws that specifically target marketing of HFSS and UPFs, particularly that aimed at children. Improve current food labeling laws by appropriate consumer packaging for clearer and more accurate nutritional information. 
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Education of the consumer is very vital for the fight against obesity. National awareness campaigns are required to make the citizen aware of the health risks involved with UPFs. Such campaigns should be made open to access for all languages and demographic groups to achieve great impact.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Public Health Over Corporate Interests

India’s obesity crisis is not a failure of individual choices but a result of inadequate policy measures. Tackling this crisis requires a strong regulatory framework that prioritizes public health over corporate profits. The Prime Minister’s call for a healthier India and the Economic Survey 2025’s recommendation for a ‘health tax’ on UPFs are commendable steps. However, without stringent food regulations, clear labelling, and robust enforcement mechanisms, India’s battle against obesity will remain an uphill task.

Source: The Hindu

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q. Critically examine the role of regulatory failures in India’s rising obesity crisis while assessing the challenges in controlling ultra-processed foods. Suggest comprehensive policy measures to ensure effective public health outcomes. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

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