Government Mandates Display of Oil and Sugar Content on Snacks

Context

The Union Health Ministry has directed all government departments to prominently display oil and sugar content of popular Indian snacks in official settings, as part of its initiative to combat rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India.

Objective of the Initiative:

The Health Ministry has launched the “Display of Sugar and Oil Boards” initiative to promote healthy dietary choices through visual behavioural nudges in schools, offices, and public institutions.
These boards will inform people of the hidden fat and sugar content in widely consumed foods such as samosa, vada paav, kachori, pizza, and burger.

Backdrop of Rising NCDs in India:

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are responsible for over 66% of all deaths in India.
Diseases such as cardiovascular ailments, diabetes, cancers, and chronic respiratory diseases are emerging as critical public health challenges, particularly among individuals over 30 years of age.

Methodology for Nutrient Calculation:

Nutrient values are assessed via:
- Laboratory analysis of prepared foods
- Ingredient-level aggregation using the Indian Food Composition Tables (IFCT) published by ICMR–National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad
Nutrient values are generally expressed per 100g for public understanding.

Definition of HFSS Foods (2024 Guidelines):

According to ICMR-NIN Dietary Guidelines (2024), a food is classified as High Fat, Sugar, and Salt (HFSS) if:
- >10% of energy comes from total sugar
- >15% of energy comes from added fat/oil
- Salt content exceeds 625 mg per 100g

WHO Nutritional Recommendations:

For adults:
- Total fat: < 65g/day
- Added sugar: < 25g/day
- Salt: < 5g/day
Age-specific limits exist for children.

Policy Implementation Measures:

Government stationery, such as letterheads, notepads, envelopes, and folders, are also to carry health messages against obesity.
The measure is aimed at sustained behavioural modification by increasing awareness of nutritional imbalances.

Public Health Relevance:

The initiative aligns with broader efforts under Ayushman Bharat, Poshan Abhiyaan, and global WHO mandates on nutrition-sensitive policies.
It also targets urban lifestyle diseases exacerbated by increased consumption of processed and functional snacks with low nutrient density.