Report

The Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) has recommended imposing a health tax on high-fat, high-sugar, and salt foods, i.e, HFSS foods. This move aims to curb obesity rates among Indian adolescents, which have been rising sharply in recent years. The consortium, under the Let’s Fix Our Food (LFOF) initiative, has called for stricter food marketing regulations, especially those targeting children, and a ban on HFSS foods in school canteens.

Focus on Food Education and Policy Reforms

As part of its strategy, the LFOF consortium has launched educational materials, including a comic book and a model nutrition curriculum, to teach young people about healthy eating and the importance of reading food labels. The policy also stresses the need for food education in schools and further regulation of food advertising directed at children.

Urgent Action Needed to Prevent Health Crisis

Dr. VK Paul, a Member of NITI Aayog, highlighted the importance of immediate intervention to address the public health threat posed by rising obesity and overweight issues. The LFOF consortium’s proposals are critical, with predictions that the number of obese children could reach 27 million by 2030 without swift action.

Source: India Today