Archive for September 2024

Chefs or Marketers? The Need for Culinary Integrity in India

The role of chefs as guardians of culinary traditions is under threat as some step outside their kitchens to endorse Ultra-processed food products Chef is defined in oxford dictionary as “a professional cook, typically the chief cook in a restaurant or hotel”. A famous Indian Chef crossed this line few days back.It makes me ask…

Read More

The Lifelong Struggle of Sustaining a Breastfeeding Advocacy Organization

  Running an organization dedicated to breastfeeding protection, promotion, and support is a test of endurance, resilience, and commitment. Breastfeeding is not merely a personal choice but a public health imperative. As the Central Coordinator of the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI), I have experienced firsthand the challenges of sustaining such an organization since…

Read More

Bridging the Gap in Early Breastfeeding Initiation in India: Early Breastfeeding within an hour is ~42% as against the births in health facility ~90%

  India has made significant strides in improving maternal and child health, reflected in the commendable 89% of births that now take place in health facilities. However, a critical gap remains in the early initiation of breastfeeding, with only 41% of newborns receiving breast milk within the first hour of life. This discrepancy is not…

Read More

Hidden cost of ‘ease of doing business’ in the food sector

In recent years, the mantra of ease of doing business has become a cornerstone of economic policy, championed by institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a pathway to growth and prosperity. These institutions often prioritise free-market principles, favouring minimal regulatory interventions. While this approach may yield benefits in certain sectors, its application to…

Read More

Are “Free Markets” on Food Playing with Health and Lives of Consumers?

Joseph Stiglitz, in his latest book, The Road to Freedom: Economics and the Good Society, discusses the negative impact of corporations’ freedom that comes at the expense of many individuals. He writes: ‘…20th century market power and seductive and misleading advertising’ have no moral legitimacy to profit from exploitation. This lens can be applied to…

Read More