Experts warn : Govt must reduce production and consumption of ultra-processed food
New Delhi, November 20, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau): India’s love affair with packaged snacks and drinks is turning into a health catastrophe, with a landmark study in The Lancet revealing that the country’s ultra-processed food (UPF) boom has doubled obesity rates and spawned a diabetes crisis.
According to the three-paper Series, retail sales of these foods, packed with harmful additives, sugar, and fat, exploded by forty times, from $0.9 billion in 2006 to $38 billion in 2019. This has flooded the market with biscuits, namkeens, noodles, and sugary drinks, aggressively advertised to the younger generation.
The direct correlation is clear in the data: obesity has skyrocketed, now affecting 23% of men (up from 12%) and 24% of women (up from 15%). Leading health experts featured in the study are demanding a decisive public health response. They argue that current regulations are failing to curb the aggressive marketing of these products.
“Given that India is the fastest-growing in UPF sales and the evidence of poor health outcomes, India needs to frame UPF as a priority health issue,” said Dr. Arun Gupta, a co-author of the Series.
Prof. Srinath Reddy called for concrete action, stating, “India needs to adopt strong regulatory measures directed at their production, marketing, and public disclosure of their constituents.” He particularly highlighted the “pervasive danger of celebrity endorsements” and advocated for a ban on advertising for such products.
The report urges the government to look beyond consumer awareness and implement policies that actively reduce the production and consumption of UPFs, making healthy food the easier choice for Indians.
