Context: 

According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), India’s ultra-processed food sector witnessed a compound annual growth rate of 13.37% in retail sales value from 2011 to 2021.

More on News:

• A new study from the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) revealed that people in rural areas are eating more carbohydrates and sugary packaged foods.
• Why has rural India shifted to sugars and processed foods?
  • Limited access to protein and micronutrient-rich foods in rural areas exacerbates this dietary shift.
  • Reduction in forest areas leads to diminished access to wild fruits and forest foods, further limiting dietary diversity.
  • Urban migration results in dietary changes, as individuals are exposed to promotions of packaged foods, contributing to unhealthy eating habits.
  • The easy availability and extended shelf life of sugary processed foods lead to increased consumption, impacting health.

About Ultra-Processed Food Sector in India:

• Ultra-processed foods are defined as those with a long shelf life and typically contain five or more ingredients, including preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and artificial colors and flavors.
• These foods are a significant risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, particularly in young people,such as obesity.
• Popular Categories: The five popular categories of ultra-processed foods in India are chocolate and sugar confectionery, salty snacks, beverages, ready-made and convenient foods, and breakfast cereals.

Key Findings of the Report:

• Obesity Concerns: Concerns about the upward trend in ultra-processed food consumption and call for policy interventions to prevent an obesity epidemic in India, similar to what some Western countries are experiencing.
  • The US obesity prevalence was 41.9% in 2017 – March 2020.
• Health Risks: Ultra-processed foods are identified as a key risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, particularly in young people, as documented by several researchers.
• Beverage Trends:  The retail volumes in 2021, concentrates / squashes accounted for 77 per cent of the market, followed by soft drinks / concentrates at 13 per cent and juices at 9 per cent. 
• Sweet Biscuits and Marketing: Sweet biscuits accounted for a significant portion of the chocolate and sugar confectionery category in 2021. They are popular due to their affordability, ease of storage, and long shelf life. 
• Salty Snacks and Health Risks: Retail sales of salty snacks increased by 16.78% from 2011 to 2021. 
  • These snacks often have high salt content, making consumers vulnerable to health issues such as hypertension and heart and kidney diseases.

Towards a Unified National Nutrition Policy: Addressing Under and Over-Nutrition

• The report recommended that there is a need to strengthen the existing policies and move towards a comprehensive national nutrition policy which covers the dual problems of under- and over-nutrition.

Malnutrition In India:

• Malnutrition is a condition that results from an imbalance between the nutrients an individual’s body needs for proper growth, development, and maintenance and the nutrients they actually receive through their diet. 
• Multiple Dimension of Malnutrition:

• • Undernutrition: This occurs when a person does not get enough essential nutrients, calories, or proteins to meet their body’s needs.It includes stunting (low height for age), wasting (low weight for height), underweight (low weight for age).
• Overnutrition: This occurs when a person consumes more nutrients or calories than their body needs, often leading to obesity and associated health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.
• Micronutrient Deficiencies: Malnutrition can also involve a lack of essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, iron, iodine, and zinc. 

Causes of Malnutrition: 

• Inadequate Access to Nutritious Food: A significant portion of the population does not have access to a diet that meets their nutritional needs. 
  • India faces a high prevalence of anaemia. Anaemia can be attributed to factors such as iron deficiency and inadequate dietary intake of essential nutrients.
• Lack of diversity under Public Distribution System (PDS): The PDS lacks more nutritious foods such as coarse grains, pulses, etc.
  • India’s protein consumption falls far below the recommended daily intake of 48 grams per day suggested by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). 
  • The recommended dietary allowance of protein for an average Indian adult is 0.8 to 1 gm per kg body weight.
• Soil Micronutrients Linked to Human Health: As per the report, there is a strong relationship between soil micronutrients and nutritional outcomes of people, with nutrient deficient soil contributing to nutritional deficiency.

• • Over 35 per cent of the soil in the country was estimated to be deficient in zinc and about 11 per cent estimated to be deficient in iron.
• Rural Unemployment and Lack of Income Opportunities: This high unemployment rate exacerbates income insecurity and limits access to adequate nutrition.
  • The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) of 2017-18 reported a concerning rural unemployment rate of 6.1%, the highest since 1972-73. 
• Budget Allocation: The total allocations for the Union budget 2021-22 saw an increase of 14.5 per cent; but the allocation towards child nutrition dropped by 18.5 per cent compared to 2020-21.
• Shortcomings in Implementation: The 2020 Comptroller and Auditor General of India audit of ICDS revealed that out of Rs 1,042 crore allocated, only Rs 908 crore was actually disbursed to state governments. 
  • Of the approximately Rs 4,300 crore released under POSHAN Abhiyaan from March 2018 to December 2019, only around 1,570 crore had been spent.

Way Forward: 

• Investment in Infrastructure: Urgent investment is required to improve the infrastructure and coverage of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Anganwadi centers.
  • These centers play a pivotal role in delivering critical services related to nutrition, healthcare, and education.
• District-Level Interventions: Districts with unique challenges, such as geographically isolated tribal populations, should implement targeted interventions.
  • Grievance redressal camps, like those established in Angul district, Odisha, can be replicated in similar areas to provide ICDS services more efficiently.
• Public Awareness and Community Engagement: Creating awareness and engaging communities are crucial components of addressing malnutrition.
• Strengthening Inter-Departmental Convergence: Effective coordination among various government departments is essential.
  • The successful multi-sectoral convergence strategy employed by Bangladesh can serve as a model for India.
  • The National Plan of Action for Nutrition 2016-2025 of Bangladesh based on a multi-sectoral convergence strategy involving health, education, agriculture, fisheries and livestock, environment, social protection, women empowerment and disaster management to combat child malnutrition.
• Address Soil Micronutrient Deficiency: Implement measures to improve soil micronutrient availability, particularly zinc and iron, through agricultural practices and nutrient management.
• Recommendations Made by  WHO and ICRIER:
  • The report makes recommendations for India to achieve nutritional security and meet UN-mandated Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
  • Definition of High Fat Sugar Salt (HFSS) Foods: The report suggests that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) should define HFSS foods clearly and transparently. 
  • Tax Structure Linked to HFSS Food Definitions: This involves implementing a nutrient-based tax model that imposes higher taxes on products exceeding recommended levels of fat, sugar, and salt and lower taxes on healthier and reformulated options. 

News Source: DTE