FSSAI’s Awareness Drive to Combat Obesity:World Food Safety Day

On the occasion of World Food Safety Day, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched a nationwide awareness campaign by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in Bengaluru, focusing on the urgent need to combat obesity through the consumption of safe and healthy food. Speaking at the event, the Minister emphasized that a healthy society is the foundation of a strong and self-reliant nation. He highlighted that for India to achieve the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India), the population must prioritize health, beginning with a balanced diet. Stressing the importance of nutrition, he stated that safe food nurtures cognitive function, which in turn enhances individual productivity and overall societal growth.

Minister Nadda raised concern over the increasing prevalence of ultra-processed foods and underlined the need to measure food intake in calories to ensure fitness and well-being. He also echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to reduce oil consumption by 10%, urging citizens to adopt conscious eating practices. Citing a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) conducted between 2008 and 2020, he revealed that obesity in urban areas has surged by 39%, while rural areas have seen a 23% increase. He warned that if immediate action is not taken to correct food habits, one-third of India’s population could be obese by 2050, posing a severe public health challenge.

To address this growing concern, FSSAI has partnered with the Education Department to raise awareness among children—the demographic most vulnerable to lifestyle changes. As part of this effort, Minister Nadda released the ‘Eat Right Activity Book’, which offers insights into food choices that lead to obesity and guides readers toward healthier eating habits. The book will be distributed across schools with the help of the education department and at railway stations via the Railway Board, ensuring it reaches a wide audience. In a parallel initiative, NCERT will include educational content in school textbooks that promotes the benefits of nutritious diets, including the use of millets and other healthy food choices.

Additionally, the Minister announced the launch of the Salt and Sugar Board, a dedicated body that will educate the public on limiting the intake of salt and sugar, and recommend that daily fat consumption be restricted to 27–30 grams. This initiative aligns with the broader public health strategy to reduce lifestyle diseases and build a nutrition-aware society.

Through these coordinated efforts, the government aims to instill lifelong healthy eating habits across all age groups, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more resilient India.