2 min readJul 15, 2025 06:29 PM IST
First published on: Jul 15, 2025 at 06:22 PM IST
The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday clarified that it has not issued any directive for warning labels on popular snacks like samosas, or jalebis.
In a statement, the ministry said recent media reports claiming otherwise are “misleading, incorrect, and baseless.”
According to the official statement issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the ministry has not directed any food labelling mandates for such items. Instead, a general advisory was issued to promote healthier dietary choices in workplaces through “oil and sugar boards”—display boards placed in canteens, lobbies, cafeterias, and meeting rooms to raise awareness about hidden fats and excess sugar in various food items.
“These Boards serve as behavioural nudges regarding hidden fats and excess sugar in various food products,” the ministry said, adding that they are meant to act as daily reminders in the fight against obesity, which is sharply on the rise in India.
The advisory is not targeted at Indian snacks or India’s rich street food culture, the ministry added, clarifying: “The Health Ministry Advisory does not direct Warning Labels on food products sold by vendors, and has not been selective towards Indian snacks.”
It further noted that the advisory is a general behavioural nudge, aimed at educating people about dietary risks across all food groups—not singling out traditional or local delicacies.
The initiative falls under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), which addresses health issues linked to excessive consumption of oil and sugar, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and other lifestyle-related diseases.
Share
