Lok Sabha Question No. 39 (STARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Adverse Effects of Junk/Fast Food
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Bidyut Baran Mahato

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 39 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  FEBRUARY, 2023

## ADVERSE EFFECTS OF JUNK/FAST FOOD

## *39. SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

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

- (a)  whether the  Government is  aware  of the  fact that  the  consumption  of  junk/fast food  has  led  to  an  increase  in  the  cases  of  diabetes,  mental  illness,  liver  related diseases and is adversely affecting the health of the people;
- (b) if so, the details of any study conducted in this regard including outcome thereof;
- (c) whether the Government will consider putting pictorial warning on junk food to check the consumption of junk/fast food especially by children and youth and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Authority  of  India  has  created  a framework  regulation  to  prevent  the  consumption  of  unhealthy  food  by  school children and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government is also organising/ proposes to organise any awareness programme in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the other corrective steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a) to (  f) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 39 FOR 3 RD  FEBRUARY, 2023

(a) to (f): Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has informed that development  of  chronic  diseases  like  diabetes,  heart  diseases  &  liver  diseases  are multi-factorial in nature and eating of junk food and/or processed food is one of them. Review of Published literature indicates that products with high content of fat, sugar or  salt  may  increase  the  risk  of  obesity  and  certain  Non-Communicable  Diseases (NCDs).

According to the study report "India: Health of the Nation's States"-The India State-Level Disease  Burden  Initiative  2017,  the proportion  of total  morbidity (Disability  Adjusted  Life  years)  due  to  Chronic  Diseases  (NCDs)  has  increased  in India  from  30.5% in  1990  to  55.4  %  in  2016.  The  overall  metabolic  risk  factors  / causes attributable to the rise in Chronic Diseases (NCDs) also include unhealthy diet as per study.

Food  Safety  and  Standards  Authority  of  India  (FSSAI)  is  mandated  to  lay down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage,  distribution,  sale  and  import  to  ensure  availability  of  safe  and  wholesome food for human consumption.

FSSAI has notified Food Safety and Standards (Safe food and balanced diets for  children  in  school)  Regulations,  2020,  which  includes  General  Guidance  for Providing Safe food and balanced diet to Children. The regulations also specifically restrict selling for offering for sale, marketing & advertising of food products high in saturated fat or trans-fat or added sugar or sodium in school premises or campus, or in an area within fifty meters from the school gate in any direction. The regulation also provides for provisions which support balanced diets in schools.

FSSAI  through  Eat  Right  India  Initiative  has  taken  holistic  approach  to transform the country food safety environment and it is based on 3 pillars -

- 1) Eat Safe which promotes safe and hygienic food
- 2) Eat Healthy which promotes diet diversification and fortification
- 3)  Eat  Sustainable  which  promotes  conservation  of  water  resources,  eating local and seasonal foods etc.

FSSAI  is  creating  awareness  among  general  public  about  adverse  effects  of foods containing high fats, sugar and salts through various campaigns/ activities.

This awareness for both food business operators and citizens is being done through various campaigns, challenges and programmes like 'Eat Right Melas and walkathons', eat right challenge for cities & districts, eat right creativity challenge, eat right millet Melas etc.

FSSAI extensively uses its public awareness material through different social media  platforms  like  Facebook,  Instagram  and  Twitter.  FSSAI  has  also  compiled various e-books on healthy food options which are available on its website.

Preventive  aspect  of  NCDs  is  strengthened  under  Comprehensive  Primary Health Care through Ayushman  Bharat  Health Wellness Centre scheme, by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level through the use of print, electronic and social media. Other initiatives for increasing public awareness about NCDs for promotion of healthy lifestyle includes observation of  International  Health  Days,  Yoga  related  activities  carried  out  by  Ministry  of AYUSH and Fit India movement by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

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