Promoting Healthy Dietary Habits in India

• The Health Ministry has requested all government departments to display the amount of oil and sugar content on popular Indian snacks.

• The initiative aims to create public awareness about foods high in sugar, salt, oil, and fats to combat obesity and non-communicable diseases.

• The Health Ministry also requests that all official stationery print health messages as daily reminders to reinforce the fight against obesity.

• The Ministry cites an unprecedented rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India, which account for over 66% of all deaths.

• The Health Ministry emphasizes the need for a balanced diet, including a balanced intake of essential nutrients like fibre, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and fermented foods.

• The ICMR-NIN’s Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024, indicate high fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) foods as foods in which calories from total sugar exceed 10% of total energy, calories from added fat/oil exceed 15% of total energy, and salt content is more than 625 mg per 100g of solid food.

• The World Health Organization recommends a healthy diet throughout life to prevent malnutrition and lower the risk of infectious diseases.

• Advocates for building meals around fibre-rich ingredients, local produce, lean proteins, and healthy fats, and advocating for a long-term pattern of choosing food that nourishes the body.