Defusing the ticking time bomb called diabetes
Source: The Hindu
For Prelims: Processed Foods, Article 123 of the Constitution, Diabetes
For Mains: General Studies III: Tackling the most common health problem of Indian Society: Diabetes
Highlights of the Article
World Health Organization
Ultra-processed foods
Sugar-sweetened beverages
Regulatory policy on ultra-processed foods
Context
In June 2023, a study conducted by the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Union Health Ministry revealed that 11.4% of India’s population or 10.13 crore people are living with diabetes and 15.3% of the population or an additional 13.6 crore people are pre-diabetic. It also found that 28.6% of the population would be considered to be obese as per the BMI measure
UPSC EXAM NOTES ANALYSIS:
1.Processed Foods
Processed foods are food products that have undergone various methods of preparation, preservation, or alteration before reaching consumers. These methods can include cooking, canning, freezing, drying, and the addition of various ingredients for flavor, texture, and shelf-life extension. Processed foods exist on a spectrum, from minimally processed items like bagged spinach or roasted nuts to highly processed foods like sugary snacks and frozen pizzas.
Here are some key points about processed foods:
Types of Processing:
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- Minimally Processed Foods: These are foods that have undergone minimal processing and typically contain few, if any, added ingredients. Examples include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean cuts of meat.
- Moderately Processed Foods: These foods have undergone some processing but still retain much of their original nutritional value. Examples include canned vegetables, pasta, and yogurt.
- Highly Processed Foods: These foods have usually undergone extensive processing, often containing additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients. Examples include sugary cereals, fast food, and packaged snacks.
2. Consumption of ultra-processed foods
- According to the World Health Organization, a major reason for this is the consumption of unhealthy ultra-processed foods and beverages, which are aggressively marketed displacing traditional diets.
- Such food includes carbonated drinks, instant cereals, chips, fruit-flavoured drinks, instant noodles, cookies, ice cream, bakery products, energy bars, sweetened yogurts, pizzas, processed meat products, and powdered infant formulas.
- A 10% increase in the consumption of ultra-processed food a day is associated with a 15% higher risk of type-2 diabetes among adults.
- When food is ultra-processed, its structure is destroyed and cosmetic additives, colours, and flavours are added.
3. Challenges of Processing foods
- The processing of foods is a complex industry with various challenges that must be addressed to ensure the production of safe, high-quality, and nutritious food products
- Ensuring the safety of processed foods is paramount. Contamination by pathogens, allergens, or chemical hazards during processing can lead to foodborne illnesses. Maintaining strict hygiene standards, implementing effective sanitation practices, and regular testing are essential to mitigate these risks.
- Efficient supply chain management is vital for timely access to ingredients and the distribution of finished products. Delays, disruptions, or inefficiencies in the supply chain can affect production schedules and product availability
- Companies involved in international trade must navigate trade regulations, tariffs, and import/export requirements, which can be complex and subject to change.
- The result is a deepening public health crisis, the ticking time bomb of diabetes. Sugar-sweetened beverages are a major source of added sugar in diets and put people at a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. In such a context, policy and regulatory actions are warranted
4. Provisions on Food Processing Industry
The only way the government can safeguard people from the manipulative strategies of the food industry is through a legal framework or even an ordinance (Article 123 of the Constitution) with the objective of reducing/halting the consumption of ultra-processed foods
It could also include defining ‘healthy food’, a warning label on unhealthy food, and restrictions on the promotion and marketing tactics of unhealthy food and beverages. The people must be informed of the risk of consuming such food. In this process, there is no reason to partner with the food industry that is responsible for ill health.
5. Conclusion
The governments of South Africa, Norway, and Mexico have recently taken similar actions. The Government of India can show its strength to regulate food labelling and marketing. Such a law will be a clear demonstration of the will of the government. The Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles, and Infant Foods Act flattened the growth of commercial baby food. The proposed new law could do the same to unhealthy foods and beverages. This is an idea whose time has come.
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Practice Mains Questions
1.The processed food industry plays a significant role in the Indian economy. Discuss the challenges and opportunities in the sector, and highlight the implications of processed foods on public health and nutrition
2.Food processing can be a potential driver for agricultural growth and employment generation in India. Examine the strategies and policies required to promote food processing industries, with a focus on enhancing farmers' income
3.Food safety and quality standards are critical for the processed food industry. Evaluate the existing regulatory framework for food safety in India and suggest reforms needed to ensure the production and distribution of safe and quality processed foods
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