Parliamentary Committee pitches for enforcement of uniform regulations on all food categories
The proposed Sugar and Oil boards will display the amount of oil and sugar in commonly eaten items including samosa, jalebis, vada pav, burger, french fries, gulab jamun, soft drink, chocolate and jaggery among others.
| Photo Credit:
Ruth Dhanaraj
The Parliamentary Subordinate Legislation Committee has advocated for uniform regulations across all food categories, its Chairman Milind Deora stated on Monday. The Health Ministry has recently proposed installation of Sugar and Oil Boards in all Central government offices, Ministries and institutions, to raise awareness about healthier dietary habits, in a bid to tackle obesity.
The proposed Sugar and Oil boards will display the amount of oil and sugar in commonly eaten items including samosa, jalebis, vada pav, burger, french fries, gulab jamun, soft drink, chocolate and jaggery among others. While the sample design of these boards include both Indian and western snacks, however certain sections raised concerns that only Indian snacking items are being unfairly targeted.
Reaction to these concerns in a post on X, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora said, “In light of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s to move to inform consumers about ingredients in samosas & jalebis, the Parliamentary Subordinate Legislation Committee, which I chair, is currently reviewing @fssaiindia ’s plans to tackle India’s growing #Obesity crisis, in line with PM @narendramodi ji’s vision for a healthier nation.We’ve 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 (sic).”
In his comments to reporters he added, “The Subordinate Legislation Committee is studying this issue. We have been speaking to the FSSAI and the Health Department. We will present our committee’s report in Parliament. Foreign junk food should be regulated equally to Indian junk food. There should be a level playing field. This is our committee’s suggestion,” he added.
In June, the Health Ministry wrote to various Central Ministries and Departments noting that obesity significantly raises the risk of non-communicable diseases and imposes heavy economic burden through increased healthcare costs and productivity losses. Noting that PM Modi has given a clarion call to combat obesity through lifestyle changes, the Ministry added that it is proposing display of Sugar and Oil Boards as an initiative to promote healthier dietary habits in various settings.
“ These boards serve as visual behavioural nudges in schools, offices, public institutions etc. displaying key information about hidden fats and sugars in everyday foods,” it added. The Ministry has advised display of such boards in cafeterias, meeting rooms, and common areas to raise awareness about harmful consumption. It has also suggested that healthier food options should be made available and health messages should be printed on stationery and publications.
—
Published on July 14, 2025
