Lok Sabha Question No. 2196 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-28
Subject: Panel Report on Cancer and Diabetes
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: RAM KUMAR SHARMA KUSHWAHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2196 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 TH JULY, 2017

## PANEL REPORT ON CANC ER AND DIABETES

## 2196. SHRI RAM KUMAR SHARMA:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the panel constituted by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently submitted a report stating non - abiding of cooking norms/parameters and due to over u se ofsugar, fat and salt disease like cancer and diabetes are rapidly spreading in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the said panel has also suggested to implement various measures fo their necessary prevention and if so, the detai ls thereof; and

(c) the details of the action taken for implementing these measures to protect the interests of the common consumers in the country?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)

(a) & (b): To address holistically the issue of High Fat, Sugar and Salt (HFSS) in food associated health risks, FSSAI constituted an Expert Group that included eminent experts the  fields  of  medicine,  nutrition,  and  dietetics  representing  well  kno wn  medica research  and academic  institutions.The  Expert  Group  in  its  report,  inter  alia,  recommended  encour consumption of: MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acids) and PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids); low  fat  milk  and  dairy  products;  cooking  oils  in  rotation  basis  and  blended  oils; complex carbohydrates and natural sugar found in fruits and vegetables;  inexpensive, seasonal and available  fresh  fruits  and  vegetabl es.  The  report  has  also  recommended  to  limit  use  of:  food containing partially hydrogenated vegetable; deep fried foods; simple sugars which largel from sugar sweetened beverages and processed snacks with high added sugar content; and rich foods such as snacks, pickles, dips and chips etc. The Expert Commit also recommende ban  on  advertising  of  foods  with  high  FSS  (Fats,  Sugar  and  Salt)  on  children's  channels  or during children shows; raising consumer knowledge and awareness; and encouraging ind ustry for voluntary reformulation of food products to reduce contents of fats, sugar (free su salt in packaged food. This report has also been placed on the website of FSSAI.

(c): FSSAI is already taking comprehensive steps for consumer awareness generation. The stakeholders across the country including consumers   are being made aware & educated a various  aspects  of  food  safety  &  hygiene  including  food  labelling,  packaging,  nutri information, issues of concern, etc. through Safe and Nut ritious Food (SNF) campaign covering home, school, workplace and eating out. Under this initiative, consumer education, awar training and capacity building is the key focus. Consumer are also being made aware th various communication platforms, p rint and outdoor media campaigns, digital and social media, documentary  films,  education  booklets,  stalls  at  Fairs/Melas/Events  and  Mass  awaren Campaigns etc.