ADVERSE EFFECT OF JUNK FOOD CONSUMPTION

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government has defined junk food under the Food Safety and Standards Act and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the consumption of junk food has been increasing continuously and, if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;

(c) whether Government has taken note of some recent studies/reports about the adverse effect of junk food on the health of the people and, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether Government has imposed/ proposes to impose ban on sale of junk food in the country and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) if not, the corrective steps taken/ being taken by Government including launching awareness programmes in this regard?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

(a): “Junk Food” has not been defined under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

(b): No such data is maintained centrally.

(c): The Government is aware of the reports appearing in the media about the adverse effects of Junk Food. Further, a study conducted by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad on Assessment of ill-effects of consumption of Carbonated Water beverages (CWBs) on health of adolescents and young Adults, showed higher increments of body fat in young consumers.

(d): There is no proposal under consideration of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to impose such ban at present.

(e): The consumers are educated/made aware of the food safety through consumer awareness programmes launched jointly by the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). These include advertisements in different media, campaigns launched by the FSSAI on social media such as Face-book, documentary films on YouTube, educational booklets, information on FSSAI website, stalls at Fairs/Melas/Events and mass awareness campaigns.