Eco Survey Proposes Ban on Ultra-Processed Food Ads (6 AM-11 PM) Amid Rising Obesity
Food And Drinks
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CNBC TV18•29-01-2026, 15:49
Eco Survey Proposes Ban on Ultra-Processed Food Ads (6 AM-11 PM) Amid Rising Obesity
- •The Economic Survey recommends banning ultra-processed food (UPF) advertisements from 6 AM to 11 PM across all media due to rising consumption and obesity concerns.
- •India is one of the fastest-growing markets for UPFs, with sales increasing over 150% between 2009 and 2023, and retail sales surging from USD 0.9 billion in 2006 to nearly USD 38 billion in 2019.
- •The survey highlights a significant increase in childhood obesity, with projections of 8.3 crore obese children by 2035, and notes that 24% of Indian women and 23% of Indian men are overweight or obese.
- •It suggests measures like front-of-pack nutrition labelling with warnings, restricting marketing to children, and ensuring trade agreements support public health.
- •The survey points out regulatory ambiguities in existing advertisement codes, allowing UPF companies to make vague health claims without clear nutrient thresholds.
Why It Matters: Economic Survey proposes strict ad bans and labelling for ultra-processed foods to combat rising obesity in India.
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