Lok Sabha Question No. 2684 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-06
Subject: Increased Content of Salt in Fast Food
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Keshari Devi Patel, Kanakmal Katara

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2684 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 TH MARCH, 2020

## INCREASED CONTENT OF SALT IN FAST FOOD

## 2684. SHRIMATI KESHARI DEVI PATEL: SHRI KANAKMAL KATARA:

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

- (a) whether as per the study report of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) the content of salt and trans fat in fast foods/junk foods, chips/namkeen, burger, pizza , preserved foods etc. has been  found  90  per  cent more  than  specified  standards  and  if  so,  the  details thereof  and  the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b)  whether  junk  food  is  responsible  for  heart diseases  in  the  children  and  if  so,  the  details there of;and
- (c)  the  details  of  action  taken  by  the  Government  for violation  of  FSSAI  standards  in  fast food/junk  food, chips /namkeen,  burger,  pizza,  preserved  foods  including non- printing  of warning labels on packets of such products?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a): Food  Safety  and  Standards  Authority  of  India  (FSSAI)  has  informed  that  Centre  f Science and Environment (CSE) study has alleged that  the quantity of salt and fat in the tested were higher than the threshold limits proposed in the draft Food Safety and Standar (Labelling & Display) Regulations.

Out of total 33 samples tested in the said study, 19 samples are of 'prepared food' where 'Front - of Pack' Labelling is not applicable.As far as pre - packaged food items are concerned, the sample size (14 samples) is too small and cannot be considered as representative -packaged food industry in the country.

- (b): As informed by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), development of obesity i multi - factorial and eating of junk food and processed food is one of them. Childhood obesi risk factor of developing heart diseases and diabetes in later life.

(c): Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified the draft of Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2019 on 25 th June, 2019.

Food Business Operator (FBOs) required to use ingredients standardised under vari regulations  notified  by  FSSAI.  Violation  of  these  attracts  penal  action.    Separate data  w.r.t. samples analysed; found non - conforming and action taken for fast food items like chips/namkeen, burger etc. is not available. However, the consolidated data for samples kinds of food analysed, found non - co forming and action taken durin g 2018 - 19 is as under:

| No. of samples analysed   |   No. of samples found non - confirming |   No. of Civil/ Criminal cases Launched |   Convictions | No. of cases which Penalties imposed / Amount raised   |
|---------------------------|-----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|---------------|--------------------------------------------------------|
| 1,06,459                  |                                   30415 |                                   21363 |           701 | 12734/ 32,57,78,087                                    |

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