Sales of ultra-processed food increased 40 times in India
Ultra processed food industry in india: Often we buy packaged chips, biscuits or instant noodles from the market thinking that this will save time and also provide taste. But, have you ever wondered what price this ‘convenience’ is exacting from your health? This change in eating habits in India is now presenting scary figures. According to recent data shared by Dr. Arun Gupta, a member of this research of The Lancet, the ultra-processed food (UPF) market in India was $ 0.9 billion in 2005, which has increased to about $ 34 billion in 2019. That means, in just 14 years this market has increased forty times. And it is a matter of concern that in this very period, the problem of obesity among men and women of India has also doubled. This is a serious warning. A new report from The Lancetcreated by 43 experts from around the world, reveals how ultra-processed food is ruining our bodies and society.
‘Hotspot’ of diseases
The Lancet series report makes it clear that it would be wrong to call ultra-processed food ‘food’. According to the Nova Food Classification System, these are products prepared with cheap chemicals, additives and industrial processes. Their aim is not to nourish you, but to increase the profits of big companies. When we eat these things, we move away from real food, like fruits, vegetables and home-cooked food.
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According to the report, this problem has now become a global epidemic. In countries like Canada, Spain, South Korea and China, the share of UPF in people’s diet has doubled to triple in the last few decades. Its direct effect is visible on our health. Consuming these foods increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases, kidney problems and even depression and premature death. These food products disturb the balance of nutrients in the body and increase the amount of toxic chemicals.
Companies who love your health profit from it.
Perhaps you will be surprised to know that the most profitable part of the food industry worldwide is this ultra-processed food. The report shows that globally UPF sales have reached $1.9 trillion. These companies use very cheap and inferior materials, so that their costs are low and profits are high.
But the game is not limited to profits only. These companies resort to aggressive marketing. Colorful packets, cartoon characters and digital media are used to attract children. Not only this, these corporates also use their power to influence government policies. They lobby, twist research to their advantage and create an illusion among the public that their food is safe. Whereas the truth is that they are serving us disease in the name of taste.
It is often said that if sugar or salt is reduced in the food, it will become healthy. But experts believe that Ultra-Processed Food In the case of , this ‘reformulation’ (reform) is not enough. The problem is not just the salt or sugar, but the chemicals and processes that make it.
The authors of The Lancet suggest that now governments will have to take strict measures. Just making consumers aware is not enough, but there is a need for change in the entire food system.
- Warning Labels: Like countries like Colombia, there should be clear warnings on the packets that the food is harmful to health.
- Ban in schools: To protect children, the sale of such food should be banned in schools and hospitals. Brazil has made it mandatory to have 90% real and fresh food in its school feeding program by 2026.
- Mathematics of expensive and cheap: Governments should increase the tax on harmful UPF and use that money to make fresh fruits and vegetables cheaper, so that poor families can also get good food.