Misleading Ultra-Processed Food Ads Fueling Obesity & Diabetes in India: Report

Historical Context: India has a rich history of traditional diets that are typically low in processed foods and high in natural ingredients. However, with globalization and economic growth, there has been a significant shift towards the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). This shift has brought about a rise in lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity and diabetes, which were relatively rare in the past. The Indian government has been making efforts to combat these issues, including setting targets to halt the rise of obesity and diabetes by 2025.

Report Findings: A recent report titled ‘50 Shades of Food Advertising’ by the Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi) highlights the misleading nature of advertisements for unhealthy food products, particularly those high in salt, fat, and sugar (HFSS) or ultra-processed foods (UPFs). The report is based on an observational study of 50 advertisements from popular English and Hindi newspapers in Delhi, as well as TV commercials during cricket games and social media ads.

Key Points:

• Misleading Advertisements: The report states that these ads are “seductive, luring, manipulative, or deceptive,” leading people to buy unhealthy food products, thereby increasing the incidences of obesity and diabetes.
• Government Regulations: The report calls for amendments to existing regulations to curb these misleading advertisements. It highlights gaps in current laws such as the FSS Act of 2006, the Cable TV Networks Regulation Act of 1994, the Consumer Protection Act of 2019, and the Norms of Journalistic Conduct 2022.
• Health Statistics: According to the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), more than 10% of 5-19-year-olds in India are pre-diabetic. This is alarming given the government’s target to halt the rise of obesity and diabetes by 2025.
• Advertising Tactics: The report provides evidence that these food and drink products are advertised using various manipulative tactics, such as evoking emotional feelings, using experts, appropriating benefits of real fruits, employing celebrities, and projecting the products as healthy.
• Recommendations: NAPi recommends that each advertisement should disclose in bold letters the amount of nutrient of concern per 100 grams/ml. They also suggest stopping any food advertisements if the product is HFSS or UPF.
• Public Health Bill: Arun Gupta, a pediatrician and NAPi convenor, urges the government to propose a public health ‘Bill’ in Parliament to halt the rising trend of obesity. Failure to do so will increase the disease and economic burden on families and the health system.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• Historical Context: Shift from traditional diets to ultra-processed foods in India.
• Report Title: ‘50 Shades of Food Advertising’ by NAPi.
• Misleading Ads: Ads for HFSS and UPFs are deceptive, increasing obesity and diabetes.
• Government Regulations: Calls for amendments to existing laws to curb misleading ads.
• Health Statistics: Over 10% of 5-19-year-olds are pre-diabetic.
• Advertising Tactics: Use of emotional appeals, experts, celebrities, and false health claims.
• Recommendations: Disclose nutrient content in ads; stop ads for HFSS and UPFs.
• Public Health Bill: Proposal for a bill to halt obesity and reduce economic burden.

This revised text provides a comprehensive overview suitable for students preparing for competitive exams, incorporating historical context and summarizing key points for easier understanding and retention.