Proposed Ban on Ultra-Processed Food Ads (6 AM–11 PM)
India’s Economic Survey 2025–26, tabled in Parliament, has highlighted a sharp rise in consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) — high in fats, salts and sugars — and their link to rising obesity and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension across urban and rural populations.
To counter this public health threat, the Survey proposes exploring a ban on advertising of ultra-processed foods from 6 AM to 11 PM across all media platforms, including digital, aiming to reduce exposure — particularly for children — to marketing that drives unhealthy dietary choices.
The pre-Budget document also emphasises restrictions on marketing of infant and toddler milk and beverages to safeguard early nutrition outcomes, alongside broader measures like front-of-pack nutrition labelling for high-fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) products.
UPF consumption has surged dramatically in recent years, with retail sales having grown more than 150 % between 2009 and 2023 — a trend the Survey associates with worsening diet quality and rising obesity rates.
In addition to advertising bans, the Survey and related commentary recommend higher GST on UPFs and stricter labelling standards as part of a multi-pronged strategy to improve diet quality, bolster public health, and mitigate the long-term economic burden of lifestyle diseases.
Source : Dairynews7x7 Jan 31st 2026 ET