Centre denies reports of issuing any warning against Indian snacks Samosa, Jalebi or Laddoo

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday rejected reports published and relayed in a certain section of media that it had issued a warning against food products like Samosa, Jalebi and Laddoo, saying they are “misleading, incorrect, and baseless”.

“There have been some media reports claiming that the Union Health Ministry has directed to issue Warning Labels on food products such as Samosa, Jalebi, and Laddoo. These media reports are misleading, incorrect, and baseless,” it said in an official release issued here.

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The Union Health Ministry had separately issued an advisory, which is an initiative towards making healthier choices at workplaces. It advised about displaying boards in various workplaces such as lobbies, canteens, cafeterias, meeting rooms, etc, to raise awareness on harmful consumption of hidden fats and excess sugar in various food items, it said.

These boards are meant to serve as daily reminders on fighting obesity, the burden of which is sharply rising in the country.

“The Health Ministry Advisory does not direct Warning Labels on food products sold by vendors, and has not been selective towards Indian snacks. It does not target India’s rich street food culture,” the communique added.

“The general advisory is a behavioural nudge to make people aware of hidden fats and excess sugar in all food products, and not specifically to any particular food product. The advisory mentions other health messages such as promoting healthy meals such as fruits, vegetables, and low-fat options, along with making suggestions for opting for physical activity such as encouraging use of stairs, organising short exercise breaks, and facilitating walking routes,” the Union Health Ministry clarified the issue further.

This initiative is part of the Ministry’s flagship initiatives under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD). Excessive consumption of oil and sugar are key contributors to the rising rate of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and other lifestyle-related diseases, it added.

Also, the Press Information Bureau (PIB), an interface between the government and the media, also did a fact check on the reports, and said, “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.”

“This claim is #fake,” the PIB added.