Newz Desk, Durgapur: India’s food habits are undergoing a dramatic transformation. As urban lifestyles become more rushed and convenience-driven, ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat items are taking centre stage in kitchens across the country. Instant noodles, frozen snacks, packaged bread, and processed meats have become everyday staples for millions. But beneath this convenience lies a growing public health concern.
A series of reports published in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet has revealed that the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in India has exploded at an alarming rate. Over the last decade and a half, sales of these products have increased by nearly 4,000%, signalling a massive shift away from traditional, home-cooked meals.
What worries experts is not the popularity of these products alone, but the health implications that follow. UPFs are known to be low in essential nutrients and high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats. Researchers warn that this shift in dietary patterns is contributing to a surge in lifestyle diseases across the country.
According to the Lancet reports—authored by a group of 43 global researchers—India’s UPF market grew from ₹7,996 crore in 2006 to a staggering ₹3.3 lakh crore in 2019. In parallel, the prevalence of overweight adults nearly doubled. The burden of obesity has expanded so rapidly that one in four Indians now struggles with excess weight.
Children, too, are increasingly falling into the danger zone. Childhood obesity rose from 2.1% in 2016 to 3.4% in 2019–21, a trend that public health experts describe as deeply worrying. Diabetes cases have also surged sharply, with ultra-processed diets emerging as a major contributing factor.
Given the widespread infiltration of these industrially engineered foods, experts are urging the government to introduce strict regulations on the manufacturing, marketing, and availability of UPFs. They argue that the companies behind these products dominate the market with attractive advertising campaigns and deep-rooted influence across various government departments—making regulatory action challenging.
Industry-friendly policies, the reports note, often hinder the implementation of healthier food norms. As India grapples with rising obesity and diabetes, researchers warn that unchecked growth of ultra-processed foods could lead to a long-term public health crisis.
Image courtesy@internet
