The Press Information Bureau (PIB) released a fact check in response to media reports that suggested Indian snacks like samosas, jalebis, and others would be accompanied by health warnings. The PIB stated that the purpose of the “Sugar” and “Oil” boards is to inform people about the hidden fats and excess sugar in all food products, not just one specific food product.
The PIB referred to it as a campaign to encourage people to adopt healthier lifestyle choices by reducing their intake of sugar and fat. “The recommendation encourages people to make healthier decisions to reduce excess sugar and oil in favor of a healthy diet and way of life, and it supports healthier options and activities at work,” it continued.
The Union Health Ministry has proposed to prominently display boards that indicate the amount of sugar and oil content in popular food items, such as pizzas and burgers, as well as samosas, vada paav, and kachori, among others, in schools, offices, and institutions in various departments, offices, autonomous bodies, and organizations in an effort to encourage healthier lifestyles and fight the rise of obesity and non-communicable diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
