Health ministry asks government departments to display details about oil, fats in snacks
In a letter on June 21, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said that 'we are proposing display of Sugar and Oil Boards initiative to promote healthier dietary habits in various settings', PTI reported.
Srivastava said that the boards would serve as 'visual behavioural nudges in schools, offices, public institutions, etc. displaying key information about hidden fats and sugars in everyday foods'.
The health secretary also urged them to print health messages on all official stationery, including letterheads, envelopes, notepads, folders and publications to reinforce daily reminders on fighting obesity.
The letter asked the departments, ministries and autonomous bodies to provide healthier options, including fruits and vegetables, in their offices, while limiting the availability of sugary drinks and high-fat snacks, The Hindu reported.
It further called for the promotion of physical activities such as the use of stairs, short exercise breaks and facilitating walking routes.
Srivastava referred to a study published in The Lancet in March, which predicted that nearly 45 crore Indians could be overweight or obese by 2050. This would mean that India is likely to have the second-highest number of overweight and obese people in the world, after China.
Obesity significantly increases the risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney and liver problems, and certain cancers. It also affects mental health, mobility and quality of life.
The campaign undertaken by the ministry will first be rolled out at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Nagpur, The Hindu reported. An unidentified ministry official told the newspaper that the campaign was expected to expand to other cities later this year.
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