India rolls out health warnings for popular street foods like samosas and jalebis
Beloved Indian snacks to soon carry health warnings
- The Indian government is implementing health warnings for popular snacks like samosas and jalebis to be displayed as cautionary notices in public venues.
- These warnings are intended to make people aware of hidden oil, sugar and trans-fat content in food products, rather than being placed directly on the snack items themselves.
- The initiative stems from growing concerns over India's escalating burden of lifestyle diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions.
- Health experts largely support the move, drawing parallels between the health risks of sugar and trans fats and those of tobacco.
- However, the policy has drawn criticism from nutritionists and public figures who argue it unfairly targets traditional Indian foods while neglecting ultra-processed Western alternatives.