MP Tejasvi Surya speaks in the Lok Sabha during the Winter session of Parliament.
Credit: PTI
New Delhi: Sounding alarm on India's growing dependence on ultra-processed foods (UPF), Bengaluru South BJP Lok Sabha member Tejasvi Surya on Thursday urged the government to adopt a clear legal definition of UPFs, mandate effective front-of-pack warning labels and tighter advertising regulations.
Raising the issue in the Zero Hour in Lok Sabha, he said several studies have pointed out that the high consumption of these products raises the risk of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, Type 2 diabetes and premature mortality.
"Ultra Processed Foods, such as breakfast cereals, cup noodles, ready-to-eat items and sweetened beverages, have increasingly displaced traditional diets, particularly among the youth and low income families", he said.
To discourage the public from consuming ultra processed foods, he suggested adopting pronged strategies including adopting a clear definition of UPFs, introducing more effective front-of-pack warning labels, which have shown to reduce consumption in other countries, exploring regulations on taxation and advertising of these products.
These proposals, he argued, would reinforce the spirit of Fit India Movement and empower citizens to choose nutritious foods over convenience-driven ultra-processed products.
With UPF consumption rising rapidly, India is potentially facing a “silent tsunami” of diet-related chronic disease.
India might soon need to treat UPFs not just as a dietary concern but a full-blown policy priority, he said.