Govt Clarifies, No Food Warnings Aimed at Indian Snacks
New Delhi: The central government has denied media reports claiming that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued health warnings specifically targeting Indian snacks such as samosas, jalebi, laddoo, and vada pav to address rising obesity levels.
In an official statement, the Ministry clarified that the reports are false. “Some media reports claim that the @MoHFW_INDIA has issued a health warning on food products such as samosas, jalebi, and laddoo. This claim is fake. The advisory of the Union Health Ministry does not carry any warning labels on food products sold by vendors, and has not been selective towards Indian snacks,” it said.
The Ministry explained that the advisory was issued to promote healthy choices at workplaces. It is part of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), and is not directed at any specific food item.
The advisory suggests displaying boards in office spaces such as lobbies, cafeterias, and meeting rooms to raise awareness about the impact of hidden fats and excess sugar in everyday foods. The Ministry said these boards are intended to serve as daily reminders in the fight against obesity, which is rising in India.
The advisory also includes messages promoting healthier meals like fruits, vegetables, and low-fat options. It encourages physical activity through simple steps like using stairs, taking short exercise breaks, and walking.
Reacting to the reports, Member of Parliament Milind Deora posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the Parliamentary Subordinate Legislation Committee is reviewing FSSAI’s efforts to address India’s obesity problem. “We have unanimously advocated uniform regulations across all food categories, including alcohol, so Indian food isn’t unfairly targeted while MNCs continue to market Western junk unchecked,” he said.
The Ministry stated that the advisory is a behavioural nudge to make people more aware of dietary habits and lifestyle choices. It emphasized that the message does not target any specific food or cultural tradition.
(With inputs from IANS)
Jyoti Kumari joined Medical Dialogues in 2025 as a Journalism Intern. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from the Delhi School of Journalism, University of Delhi. She is passionate about news reporting, content creation, social media, and emerging media trends.