Financial Survey 2024-25 crimson flags India’s rising love for fried rooster and cookies – Firstpost

The Financial Survey launched on Friday expressed concern over the unchecked enhance of ultra-processed meals (UPFs) and known as for strict front-of-pack labeling laws to mitigate their rising influence on public well being and productiveness.

From sweetened breakfast cereals, tender drinks, and power drinks to fried rooster and
packaged cookies, UPFs have undeniably marked their formidable presence in on a regular basis
food regimen.

In keeping with the survey, citing WHO India, between 2011 and 2021, the worth of retail gross sales within the UPF section grew at a CAGR of 13.7%. Although there was a year-on-year development price decline from 12.7 per cent to five.5 per cent throughout 2020, the very subsequent 12 months, it was 11.29 per cent.

The survey warned that the Rs 2,500-billion trade, pushed by comfort, hyper-palatable choices, affordability, prolonged shelf life, and aggressive advertising and marketing methods, has created a beneficial atmosphere for the expansion of UPFs in India.

The pattern is related to rising instances of most cancers, cardiovascular illnesses, and psychological well being points, added the survey.

“Stringent front-of-the-pack labelling guidelines are wanted and to be enforced. It’s not an exaggeration to recommend that the nation’s future development potential rides so much on this measure,” the survey stated.

UPFs are sometimes excessive in fats, salt, and sugar (HFSS). Regardless of world makes an attempt at trade self-regulation, the survey argues that such measures have been ineffective in defending shoppers from well being dangers.

“Scientific proof abounds that the consumption of ultra-processed meals (Excessive in Fats, Salt, and Sugar or HFSS) is an enormous think about undermining each bodily and psychological well being. On this regard, globally, self-regulation has been ineffective,” it stated.

Chief Financial Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran, in his media briefing, additionally emphasised the pressing have to sort out the problem of ultra-processed meals (UPFs), highlighting that this vital trade depends on “hyper-palatable meals objects” that manipulate client selections, particularly amongst kids and adolescents.

“Deceptive commercials, celeb endorsements, and lacking and obscured labelling on packages [are] concentrating on client behaviour. Extremely-processed meals are straight related to publicity to most cancers, respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal well being outcomes,” he stated.

The survey additionally connects poor dietary habits to a decline in psychological well being, warning that common consumption of ultra-processed meals (UPFs), together with low bodily exercise and diminished social connections, considerably harms total well-being and office productiveness.

“It’s not a theoretical assemble. It’s an empirical discovering internationally, together with in India. And decrease psychological well being naturally has a direct correlation with the variety of working days and total productiveness as effectively,” the survey stated.

Nageswaran stated that office tradition and personal sector attitudes towards ultra-processed meals (UPFs) can be essential in figuring out whether or not India can “realise its demographic dividend.”

He added that prioritising medium-term public well being features over short-term income is as important as funding in expertise and training for the nation’s financial future.

Whereas the federal government has initiated programmes like Eat Proper India and the Match India Motion to encourage more healthy consuming habits, the survey underscores the necessity for sturdy regulatory measures to curtail the consumption of dangerous UPFs.

It argues that clear and efficient labeling is crucial for safeguarding India’s workforce, enhancing well being outcomes, and making certain sustainable financial development.

With inputs from businesses