Key Update

A new three-paper series in The Lancet warns that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are displacing traditional diets worldwide, driving obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression, and premature death. Authored by 43 global experts, including India’s Dr Arun Gupta and Prof Srinath Reddy, the series calls for immediate policy action. Experts stress that personal choices alone cannot curb the UPF surge—strong regulation is essential, similar to tobacco and alcohol.

What Are UPFs?

UPFs are industrial products made mostly from food-derived substances, preservatives, and additives like emulsifiers, stabilisers, sweeteners, and flavourings. They include packaged snacks, instant noodles, sugary drinks, biscuits, and flavoured cereals. Designed for taste, convenience, and profit, UPFs rely on aggressive marketing to dominate diets. Studies show UPF consumption links to multiple chronic diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, digestive disorders, depression, and early mortality.

India’s Rapid Shift

India is adopting ultra-processed foods faster than most countries. Sales jumped from US$0.9 billion in 2006 to nearly US$38 billion in 2019, while obesity rates doubled. The ICMR-INDIAB-17 survey shows:

• 1 in 4 adults is overweight or obese

• 1 in 10 has diabetes

• 1 in 7 is pre-diabetic

• Nearly 1 in 3 has abdominal obesity

• Childhood obesity is rising sharply

Despite this shift, India lacks comprehensive national data on UPF consumption, making urgent action critical.

Call to Action

Experts urge India to:

• Limit UPF production, marketing, and availability

• Expand access to fresh, minimally processed foods

• Ban advertising to children and mandate warning labels

• Exclude UPFs from schools, hospitals, and public institutions

• Track consumption through national surveys

Ultra-processed food consumption is rising fast. Without immediate action, India risks repeating Western countries’ trajectory, where UPFs dominate diets and chronic disease rates have soared.

Source: Moneylife