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NDTV
12 hours ago
- Health
- NDTV
Samosa, Jalebi And Other Indian Snacks To Carry Health Warnings: "A Big Step To Tackle India's Obesity Crisis," Says Expert
After cigarettes, delicious Indian snacks like samosa, vadapav, kachori and jalebi will soon carry health warnings. As an initiative to promote healthy eating and lifestyle to combat obesity and non-communicable diseases, the Union Health Ministry has urged all ministries, departments and autonomous bodies to display warnings on Indian snacks. The ministry has urged to display oil and sugar content of these food items. It has also called for printing health messages on all official stationeries such as letterheads, envelopes, notepads, folders, etc and publications to reinforce daily reminders on fighting obesity. Are samosas, jalebis and vadapavs harmful? Obesity is a serious yet preventable health condition. This lifestyle disorder can be reversed and prevented with proactive measures that majorly focus on diet and lifestyle interventions. "Foods like jalebis have a very high glycemic index and can spike up your blood sugars without providing any nutritional value. Not just obesity, heavy consumption of these foods can increase the risk of serious health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and much more," Dr. Sameer Gupta, Senior Cardiologist, Group Cardiac Cath Lab Director at Metro Hospitals. "Additionally, foods like samosas and vadapavs are high in trans fat, which can cause inflammation and lead to arterial blockage by contributing to plaque buildup in arteries," Dr. Gupta added. Will these warnings actually help? "The tsunami of obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure in this country mainly because of poor eating habits needs to be controlled with such health policies." "This initiative will empower the common people about the nutritional value of food and help them make conscious food choices," Dr. Gupta highlighted. How will this be put into effect? The information posters will mention fat and sugar content in popular foods. This clear information about sugar and trans fat content will function like health warning labels on cigarettes. "Oil and Sugar Board" in schools, offices, public institutions, autonomous bodies and other organisations displaying key information about hidden fats and sugars in everyday foods can help raise awareness on harmful consumption. Health messages that outline long-term health risks from frequent consumption of these foods will also be implemented. This initiative has also urged organisations and institutions to promote the availability of healthier food options and limit accessibility of sugary drinks and high-fat snacks. It also highlights the role of physical activity. India's obesity burden A sharp rise in obesity rates in India over the past few years is now a significant public health concern. Obesity has serious health implications, fueling non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, mobility, quality of life and certain cancers. According to the National Family Health Survey NFHS-5 (2019-21), more than one in five adults in urban areas are overweight or obese. While 24% of Indian women and 23% of Indian men are overweight or obese, a significant increase in the percentage of children under 5 years who are overweight has also been observed from 2.1% to 3.4 %. A Lancet study published in 2025 also revealed that about 450 million adults in India are expected to be overweight or obese in 2050. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, including better public health policies, promoting physical activity, improving access to healthy foods, and increasing awareness about nutritional intake and healthy lifestyles. In the 119th Episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also urged the country to draw focus on the obesity epidemic and mentioned that obesity cases have doubled in the last few years and there is an urgent need to focus on the prevalence of obesity in India. He urged people to reduce their cooking oil consumption by 10 per cent. Advocating the same, Dr. Sameer Gupta who is also the Co-Chair of the Healthcare community at PHD Chamber of Commerce adds, "India is the diabetes capital of the world. Furthermore, an alarming increase in obesity and hypertensive individuals triggers the disease burden of the country. These food labels will empower people to make the right food choices. It is a very good and much-needed step towards a fitter India." "You cannot be a wealthy nation if you are not a healthy nation," he concluded.
Business Upturn
19 hours ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Apollo Pipes begins commercial production of uPVC Doors & Windows at Dadri facility
Apollo Pipes Limited (APL), one of India's top six piping solution providers, has officially commenced commercial production of its 'uPVC Doors & Windows' at its manufacturing facility in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh. This launch marks APL's strategic entry into the premium home improvement space, expanding its product portfolio and reinforcing its commitment to quality-driven innovation. The new line adds over 250 SKUs and offers a total capacity of 4,000 tonnes per annum. With a focus on the northern Indian market, APL aims to capture demand in the high-value uPVC segment. Backed by strong infrastructure and technical expertise, the company plans to deliver efficient, durable, and cost-effective solutions. Sameer Gupta, Chairman cum Managing Director, Apollo Pipes (APL), stated, 'This strategic investment reflects our commitment in diversifying our product portfolio and strengthening our presence in high-value segments like the window and door market, which offers higher EBITDA margins. As a result, this expansion is expected to be value accretive. With this move, APL will become one of the few manufacturers in India with capability to produce specialized windows and doors, positioning itself amongst an elite group of technologically advanced players. The new production line will allow us to introduce over 250+ SKUs, greatly enhancing our ability to serve complex and customized infrastructure needs. Supported by our well-established distribution network and strong execution capabilities, we are confident in our ability to rapidly scale up this segment.' This move positions Apollo Pipes to compete in a niche but growing category with fewer players, helping it strengthen its brand presence across the home improvement segment. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
